Salisbury: Calls for action over anti-social behaviour in churchyard

That’s according to a Salisbury city councillor, who wants more to be done to tackle anti-social behaviour in the city.

Councillor Paul Sample, who represents the St Edmund’s Ward, has said it is an increasing problem in several public spaces, including St Edmund’s Churchyard, Bourne Hill Gardens and near the top of Winchester Street and in Tollgate Road.

St Edmund's Churchyard, Salisbury (Image: Newsquest)

He said there is also an issue with people pitching and living in tents in these areas.

It comes after a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), covering the city centre and surrounding parishes of Laverstock and Ford, Quidhampton, Netherhampton, Wilton, Alderbury, Odstock and Coombe Bissett, was brought in by local authorities in May in response to reports of anti-social behaviour and street drinking.

Cllr Sample wants the council to have a policy and approach in place for when such issues “inevitably happen again in the future”.

He said: “Every day residents have had to put up with drink and drug use, shouting and arguing, alarming outbursts from people with mental health problems, urine, vomit and human waste, littering, shouting and arguing.

“Salisbury City Council’s officers are left with a mess to clear up on a daily basis.

Businesses, visitors, residents and their families feel that these areas are not safe and that it is a dangerous place to be or live near (especially at night). The situation is intolerable, threatening and has a major negative impact on the lives of the community.”

He has submitted a motion for the council to debate at its meeting next month, which reads: “Salisbury City Council recognises that residents passing through St Edmunds Churchyard, Bourne Hill Gardens, and living near shrubberies at the top of Winchester Street and in Tollgate Road (and elsewhere in the City), have experienced anti-social behaviour from the people pitching tents there this year.

“The Council calls on the Chief Executive Officer to:

n Liaise with Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council and other interested agencies to encourage them to draw up clear rules and guidelines that prevent this public nuisance, and;

n Explore banning the erection of tents for sleeping in the Salisbury City’s boundary (except in private residential properties and official camping sites), and;

n If other agencies are unable to enforce this policy explore enforcement being put into the hands of Salisbury City Council.”

Cllr Sample told the Journal that is something he has only become aware of in recent months, but added that there have been various incidents of this nature in several locations across the city.

A first fine of £100 was issued in the city centre earlier this month, following a breach of the street drinking ban.

He added: “This not only a issue for Salisbury, but a national health issue, a mental health issue, and speaks to the housing problem both locally and nationally.”

The motion will be considered on Monday, September 3, at the Guildhall, between 6.30pm and 8pm. You can find out more by going to salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk/council-meeting/monday-2-september-2024-full-council-2/

Wiltshire Police has been contacted for comment.