Drunks congregating on Choumert Road benches

[noahsdw]

Hello!

Is anyone else tired of the three or four men congregating on the benches on Choumert rd drinking, taking drugs, playing crap music until 1am, urinating up cars and trying to steal bikes?

I live opposite and i've tried to ask them nicely to please keep it down especially when it's past midnight. I often get told to F myself and to go away.

I've reported it to the noise pollution but not sure what else can be done since it doesn't seem serious enough for the police.

I just wondered if anyone else living close thought the same?

[IlonaM]

I would phone the non-urgent police number when it is happening - drunk & disorderly as well as a public order offence if they are swearing at you etc. in a public space. Officers in uniform will hold more sway unfortunately, and can require them to move along or arrest them if their behaviour deteriorates.

[JohnL]

Yeah - slow process - police seek an order - they break it - and eventually they won't be allowed in the area. It has to start at some point though if it's intolerable.

[km100]

I think this is a long term problem - we live nearby (but not close enough to be affected daily) and the benches have always attracted drinkers in the time we?ve lived here.

Sorry you are suffering.

This thread was from last year: https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,2114196,2114386#msg-2114386

[Angelina]

Put a sign on the bench that says "DANGER - do not sit here - bench needs repair" and put tape all over it - while you continue with the more sensible advice above, for a longer term solution.

[Metallic]

Tell your councillor, it is what they are for.

[richard tudor]

If you do tell the lane Cllrs do not hold your breath for an acknowledgement or answer.

Perhaps these are the same people who paint sprayed the spitfire.

[ace76]

Don't hold breath for the council.

We had a similar problem when I lived on East Dulwich Road directly opposite Goose Green about 20/21 years ago.

We got a group of residents to go have a word about expected behavior in our area.

Unfortunately the words fell on deaf ears so the next night myself and a few residents went and conducted aggressive negotiations with the said drinkers.

Didn't have any major issues for the next few years. Job done.

[Spartacus]

I believe that The Lane safer neighbourhood police team have this on their list of ward priorities and you should contact that team directly to report any issues rather than the council who are not the right people to deal with this

It's potentially a multi agency issue and the starting point is the SNT.

020 8721 2769

TheLane.snt@met.police.uk

[James Barber]

Southwark have extra legal controls against street drinking which apply to all areas except Dulwich Village - https://www.southwark.gov.uk/community-safety/drugs-and-alcohol?chapter=3

So the Police already have specific powers to confiscate alcohol etc at this location.