A SOUTHAMPTON councillor says anti-social behaviour in a city neighbourhood is down to a lack of police resources.

Speaking to the Echo Shirley ward councillor Mark Chaloner said the problem is not isolated to Shirley - but that he and other Shirley councillors have been "aware of issues" for some time.

Cllr Chaloner said Shirley has a "busy thoroughfare" - but anti-social behaviour is bad "across the city."

Mark Chaloner(Mark Chaloner)

It comes after police issued a dispersal notice for Shirley last weekend after 87 calls were made to the force in the last five months from concerned members of the public.

Under the dispersal order anyone who was acting in an anti-social manner was dispersed from the area for 48 hours.

Police told the Daily Echo that on October 20 they issued 10 orders and one man was arrested after breaching the 48 hour notice.

He said: "There has been a feeling for some time that the police haven't been able to keep a watch as much as everyone might like. It's not the fault of the frontline officers - resources are so far stretched they are not able to do everything they want to be able to do. It's across the city."

He added: "Street drinking is an issue. Loud behaviour is an issue. The people who live near McDonald's often complain about people gathering late at night.

"There are always complaints about cycling and skating on the pavements - some of the older residents aren't being watched out for. We have anti-social parking so people have to walk in the road.

"We have a very lively thoroughfare and a busy, lively community and high street."

 

A round table discussion between council representatives, police, businesses and residents has been organised by Shirley residents for October 30 from 7pm at Freemantle Community Centre on Randolph Street. It is by invitation only.

Cllr Chaloner said one of the Shirley councillors would be present at the meeting.