A SPECIAL inter-agency meeting has taken place this week focusing on finding a resolution to the ongoing issues affecting St Columb’s Park.
Elected members, the PSNI, Council officers and community representatives met to discuss the anti-social behaviour, alcohol consumption and criminal incidents taking place in the park which have escalated in recent weeks.
The meeting was convened by the City Centre Manager in response to concerns relating to the increased numbers of young people involved and the increasing regularity of the incidents.
All attendees at the meeting agreed that many of the incidents are alcohol related and supported the call for police to prioritise the area over the coming weeks as a matter of urgency and to allocate the necessary resources to prevent any reoccurrence.
Concerns were raised that the ongoing issues in and around the park, especially during the current sunny weather, has impacted negatively on the safety of park users and local residents, has increased the vulnerability of young people, and is using up emergency service resources.
Those attending agreed to request that the park and the surrounding areas is treated as a high priority by PSNI and its partners and is resourced accordingly. It was also requested that the PSNI check those entering the park for alcohol and seize alcohol from anyone drinking in the park.
A spokesperson for the group confirmed that community representatives, elected members and council officers would continue to work in partnership with PSNI and support their actions to ensure that the park and the surrounding area remains a shared space for everyone to enjoy.
