Noticeable increase in street sleepers and drinkers in Portswood Broadway

Email sent on Sunday 16 March 2025 at 6.25pm

Hello Community Safety, PC Adam O’Neil and PCSO Hayley Morrison,

I hope you are all well?

I am writing with regard to a noticeable increase in street sleepers and drinkers in Portswood Broadway.

Yesterday, Saturday 15 March, there were four different ‘groups’ located in different areas of Portswood High Street, all along the same side of the pavement, ie where Boots, Coffee#1, October Books, etc are. One, in particular, had a big armchair (cream/leather?) and he and another person appeared to be swapping who could sit in it with a blanket. Is a big armchair allowed on the pavement? It seems a bit exaggerated and it took up quite a lot of the pavement with people having to divert past somewhat gingerly? It was very noticeable and intrusive.

Several individuals also had open cans/bottles in violation of the Public Spaces Protection Order. I must admit, this is the worst I have ever seen Portswood High Street, and having so many street sleepers and drinkers is very off-putting and indeed quite intimidating. I did not want to hang around.

Can anything be done please before this increase becomes unsustainable?

Thank you.

Kind regards,

NCJ