Latest news with #antiSocialBehaviour
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Epsom Derby punters threatened with £100 on-the-spot fines under new rules
PUNTERS going to Saturday's Epsom Derby have been threatened with £100 on-the-spot fines. A new council order issued in time for the world's most famous Flat race will aim to crack down on anti-social behaviour. 1 A public space protection order (PSPO) has been brought in by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council. It could last up to three years and ties in with the council's efforts to clamp down on rowdy behaviour during the two-day meeting. The order applies to anyone harassing or threatening others, or continuing to drink alcohol after being ordered to stop by a police officer, community support officer or council officer. The order was voted in by the council last month. It came as one councillor claimed locals were thinking of leaving the area on account of the allegedly 'intimidating' behaviour during Derby weekend. Shanice Goldman, chair of the crime and disorder committee, said: "The PSPO is a new tool specifically for the Epsom & Ewell area which will allow police and appropriate council staff to address anti-social behaviour effectively, without immediately resorting to arrests. "I hope this order will ensure a more enjoyable experience for everyone on the day, as well as a safer environment in the borough." Tens of thousands of racegoers are expected to descend on the Downs on Friday and Saturday. The Derby, which has been run since 1780, has an enormous prize pool of £1.5million, with the winner picking up £900,000. It is one of the most prestigious races run anywhere in the world and its list of winners includes the legendary Shergar. Iconic Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien and Southampton boy Charlie Appleby have the joint-favourites this year in the shape of Delacroix and 1,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court. However, one of O'Brien's three runners got a nightmare stall in Wednesday's draw - read Templegate's reaction to it here. This is far from the first time a local authority has attempted a crackdown on behaviour during race week. In Cheltenham for the jumps festival the council brought in special paint that caused pee to splash back on anyone urinating in public in what was called a ' war on wee '. . Remember to gamble responsibly
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Squatters take over iconic Mayfair club were A-listers Lindsay Lohan, Pippa Middleton and Jodie Kidd once partied
Squatters have taken over a former Michelin-starred restaurant and club, frequented by A-listers such as Pippa Middleton and Lindsay Lohan. Originally built as the private home of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 1820s, Morton's was a private member's club which hosted VIP events attended by celebrities and socialites. Pippa Middleton was a regular visitor to the club and model Jodie Kidd was pictured at the club in the past. During the pandemic, the club went into administration and the Grade II listed building has remained vacant ever since. However, the historic building at 28 Berkeley Square now has new occupants - squatters. It has been described as a magnet for cannabis-smoking yobs who are using the basement as a refuge to hide various items. A security guard for a neighbouring business told Metro: 'It's been a nightmare. There were squatters actually in the building but now they were forced to leave. But what they are doing now is using the basement area as their refuge. There are piles of stuff down there it's becoming like a slum. It's a magnet for anti-social behaviour. 'There are people smoking weed and the place is an eyesore. The police came recently but said there was nothing they could do. When the club was there it was very high end but now it's just bringing down the square.' Next door is the world-renowned auction house Phillips, which is currently putting the works of Damien Hirst under the hammer. One inhabitant of the property said they had 'nowhere else' to go and asked, 'what can I do?' Police have been called to the property in the past month, but were unable to act as the squatters were not inside the building when they arrived. Removing squatters from non-residential buildings is more challenging for officials as it often requires a civil court order. It is not the only well-known London building which has been targeted by unwanted inhabitants. Last year, a group of squatters recently moved in to Gordon Ramsay's York and Albany pub near Regent's Park in 2024 before they were forced to leave by a court order. A raid was also conducted on Marco Pierre White's former steak and pizza restaurant to remove a group last year. Courts also ordered uninvited occupants who were living inside Princess Diana's former favourite restaurant, San Lorenzo, to vacate the premises. RSM UK, administrators for Morton's, said they sold the lease in August 2021. CF Commercial is currently marketing it as a business premises. A statement from Westminster Council said: 'Our city inspectors visited the site last night. They found no evidence of people sleeping rough in the basement but there are a number of items belonging to rough sleepers being stored there. 'This is ultimately a matter for the landlord to secure the property and the council will notify them urgently about the issue.'
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Church reopens after anti-social behaviour 'reset'
A churchyard in a town centre has reopened after it was forced to close for a month because of anti-social behaviour. St John's the Baptist's Church in the centre of Glastonbury, Somerset, stopped all church-related activities, other than Sunday services and funerals, during May for a "reset". David Smith, churchwarden said it was a "horrible" decision to close but added: "The raised gravestones were being used as shop counters for open drug dealing - that obviously is unacceptable." The decision split opinions in the town but Avon and Somerset Police said the closure was "challenging", but a "necessary" step to protect safety. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset The church say they're working with Glastonbury Town Council, local businesses and the Police as the churchyard reopens. Mr Smith continued: "I believe the closure was the reset we needed and we've had good feedback from the public as we reopened." Paul Manning is a town councillor and runs a business just off the High Street and said anti-social behaviour in the town is a "barrier" to tourists. He said: "The businesses at the top end of the High Street suffer because of anti-social behaviour. We need to all work together to address this." It comes after the BBC reported in January that some Glastonbury shop workers said more work needed to be done to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour. A police spokesperson previously told the BBC: "We have been working closely with representatives from the church and the local authority to combat anti-social behaviour in and around Glastonbury." Dandelion Chalice runs a business in Glastonbury and said it was a "huge shame" to close the churchyard. He said: "I felt it was upsetting to shut a Christian place of worship. "But I understand it as the churchyard was much more peaceful when it was closed. "You can't have people fighting next to families having picnics." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Churchyard closes due to anti-social behaviour Calls for more action on crime, despite crackdown
BBC News
11 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Glastonbury Church reopens after anti-social behaviour "reset"
A churchyard in a town centre has reopened after it was forced to close for a month because of anti-social John's the Baptist's Church in the centre of Glastonbury, Somerset, stopped all church-related activities, other than Sunday services and funerals, during May for a "reset".David Smith, churchwarden said it was a "horrible" decision to close but added: "The raised gravestones were being used as shop counters for open drug dealing - that obviously is unacceptable."The decision split opinions in the town but Avon and Somerset Police said the closure was "challenging", but a "necessary" step to protect safety. The church say they're working with Glastonbury Town Council, local businesses and the Police as the churchyard Smith continued: "I believe the closure was the reset we needed and we've had good feedback from the public as we reopened." Paul Manning is a town councillor and runs a business just off the High Street and said anti-social behaviour in the town is a "barrier" to said: "The businesses at the top end of the High Street suffer because of anti-social behaviour. We need to all work together to address this."It comes after the BBC reported in January that some Glastonbury shop workers said more work needed to be done to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour.A police spokesperson previously told the BBC: "We have been working closely with representatives from the church and the local authority to combat anti-social behaviour in and around Glastonbury." Dandelion Chalice runs a business in Glastonbury and said it was a "huge shame" to close the said: "I felt it was upsetting to shut a Christian place of worship."But I understand it as the churchyard was much more peaceful when it was closed."You can't have people fighting next to families having picnics."
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Anti-social driving a big concern in Bradford
Anti-social car use, including drivers revving their engines or catcalling from their vehicles, is a significant concern for residents in Bradford, police have council is considering plans to extend a public space protection order (PSPO) to clamp down on driver behaviour that causes a nuisance, but is not necessarily order was first introduced by Bradford Council in 2019 and more than 400 motorists have been fined since Supt Richard Padwell from West Yorkshire Police said the anti-social use of vehicles "continues to be one of the most significant concerns for our communities, as is frequently evidenced in community safety meetings and surveys". He said the existing PSPO, which also targets car meets, "significantly contributes to maintaining public safety, reducing anti-social behaviour and ensuring that the communities of Bradford are safe from this type of activity."Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire's deputy mayor for policing and crime, said officers found that "anti-social behaviour related to driving disproportionately impacted women and girls".Lowe said she believed the PSPO would "support our targeted work" to tackle issues around women's Council asked the public for its views on the proposed extension earlier this year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.A total of 942 people responded, of which 97% said anti-social vehicle use was "a big problem" or "a fairly big problem".Most people supported the will discuss the proposed extension at a meeting on Thursday. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
