'Drinkers' moved into popular Sheffield park after crackdown at nearby shops, admit police
Concerns over gatherings in park sparks questions for police
A crackdown on drinking and anti-social behaviour around shops has moved a group of ‘drinkers’ into Firth Park, police admit.
The issue was raised with South Yorkshire Police at an online question and answer session, which saw senior officers from South Yorkshire Police’s Ecclesfield and Shiregreen neighbourhood policing team’s Sgt Matthew Cook.
Officers were told that a local business located in the park had been informed by a customer that they would no longer be coming because of a group of ‘drinkers’ they had to walk past to get there, with up to a dozen of them on benches.
In reply, Sgt Cook said police were are acutely aware of the group mentioned, and that following interventions and work around the shops that the group had moved into the park.
He added: “Sitting in the park and drinking alcohol isn’t illegal and whilst we appreciate this may cause some people to feel uncomfortable they can’t be moved on for that alone.
“If there is additional anti-social behaviours linked to this then we will take action and utilise criminal and civil interventions.”
Sgt Cook added that where they suspected people to be in possession of a controlled drug they would use their powers of stop and search and deal with anything found accordingly.
He said the neighbourhood team was working with the anti-social behaviour officers from Sheffield Council to work to address the issues and make the park somewhere everybody can enjoy.
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