Youths Dispersed By Police & Big Clean-Up At Little Bowden Rec

Drunk children had to be taken home and groups dispersed after Police were called to parks in Little Bowden and Kibworth last night.

Officers are urging parents to consider what their sons and daughters are doing after noise levels became unacceptable.

Litter was left strewn across Little Bowden Recreation Ground after large numbers gathered with local residents filling ten bin bags when they cleared it up early this morning.

Officers had attended earlier in the evening amid concerns Covid restrictions were being breached, but said those there were in separate groups of six, which is allowed.

They were also called to Warwick Park in Kibworth following concerns about anti-social behaviour.

Extra officers are being drafted-in, in a bid to tackle the problems.

Sergeant Pete Jelbert, from Harborough Police, spoke to Hfm about what happened:

Police also say whilst there is no specific ban on alcohol in the local parks, if someone’s behaviour due to alcohol consumption is concerning then we will deal with them appropriatel, and over recent weeks officers have dealt with a number of people for using and possessing controlled substances.

Officers are also asking the public to help them by ensuring they continue to adhere to the Covid restrictions, saying they want people to enjoy seeing friends and family again outdoors but not at the detriment of the wider community.

Harborough District Council is to install more bins at parks.

A spokesman told Hfm: “With Lockdown restrictions starting to ease, and the recent fine weather, we appreciate that people are keen to get outdoors now that 6 people, or two households, can meet – socially distanced – in public spaces and private gardens. We have seen high numbers of people using our parks, and local police have an operation running to patrol parks and respond to concerns about anti-social behaviour or breaches to social distancing.

“We do have Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in our parks, however these do not prevent adults from drinking alcohol outdoors.  Alcohol will be removed from people behaving irresponsibly, and this power has been used.  Police will also confiscate alcohol from anyone under 18 years old, and young people who are under the influence of alcohol are taken home.

“We recognise that the higher usage of parks has an impact on litter and again we urge people to clear up and place rubbish in the bins provided – or if they are full take their litter home.  More bins are being installed in the parks in the next few days to help with the demand. It is not acceptable to leave litter anywhere in our district.

“With Police, we will continue to respond to all concerns and deal with matters proportionally; we want to see people enjoying our public spaces, but people must take responsibility for maintaining social distance, behaving responsibly, and ensuring they do not leave litter.”