Anti-social behaviour – on the steps of October Books, Portswood Broadway

It was reported to us by a HRA member that at about 10.45am on Monday 19 August 2024, 4 or 5 men were sitting on the steps of October Books bookshop drinking (open cans of drink were seen) and messing around. When the HRA member returned at about 11.30am, the men were still there, making more noise and playing very loud music from a portable radio. When the HRA member walked quickly on past, one of the men was urinating against the wall of the adjacent alley and he shouted to them something along the lines of “haven’t you ever seen a man taking a p… before?”

At no point did our HRA member make any attempt to engage with the individuals.

The HRA member understands from October Books that a member of the public reported a similar disturbance, also on Monday 19 August – which might or might not be related to the same group of people.  They were given a reference number of 44240355784.

The HRA Member contacted us and reported the incident as follows:

To the City Council’s Community Safety Group on email: community@southampton.gov.uk

and:

To the police on: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/

HRA understands from a meeting with representatives from the City Council’s Community Safety Group and the police on 13 August 2024 that less serious cases of ASB, eg street drinking, carrying an open can/bottle of alcohol* and drug paraphernalia (for example – needles) left on the street, should be reported to the Council’s Community Safety Group using the above email address. However, that more serious behaviours, including any drug use on display or incidents of violence or criminal behaviour, should be reported to the police using the above link, via 101 or to Portswood Police Station in St Denys Road.

It was advised that in cases of doubt, reports should be sent to both Community Safety and the police, and this is what happened here. Reports to both were submitted on Monday 19 August.

Note: Community Safety do not work evenings or weekends.

*A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSCO), where the consumption of alcohol or being in possession of an open container of alcohol is prohibited within a designated area, covers the area between Sainsburys and Gordon Avenue. We understand that this order is enforced by both the Community Safety Group and warranted police officers  https://www.southampton.gov.uk/media/2pil3mdd/pspo-portswood.pdf