The police station closure and removal of street marshals were referenced
Chipping Sodbury in South Gloucestershire, near Bristol(Image: Sophie Grubb/ Bristol Live)
Bristol Live readers have recently engaged in a lively exchange of views regarding antisocial behaviour afflicting a scenic market town, following warnings from a local councillor.
South Gloucestershire councillor Becky Romaine has spearheaded a petition calling on the council to tackle incidents in Chipping Sodbury to ensure resident safety during nighttime hours.
This step was taken in the aftermath of the council’s decision to phase out street marshals in the spring as a cost-cutting measure.
Councillor Becky Romaine (Conservative, Chipping Sodbury & Cotswold Edge) said despite an upsurge in unruly antics on and around the High Street, reported anecdotally, none had been officially relayed to the police, leaving the authorities in the dark about the situation.
In response to the story one reader, 6470 asks: “Why is the council doing the police job. Antisocial behaviour is a police matter. Not something that should be paid for out of the rates.”
Forthbridgemaintenance says: “‘None of it had been reported to the police.’ That kind of sums up the way that the Tories will fabricate a narrative to suit their own agenda. You are assuming that there actually IS antisocial behaviour. Look at the credibility of the source of the information before believing what has been alleged.”
Bmw writes: “They closed the police station, allowed over building on green spaces, their kids are now that age! This is not a council problem, it is a police problem, they are paid enough out of council tax. open the police station again and police the area. Where is the nearest police station to Yate /Sodbury, is it Staple Hill which is partly closed?”
Paul25850 claimed: “This only started when the ladden estate and the new houses in Chipping Sodbury were built. Work it out.”
While over on our Facebook page – Phil Kennett writes: “Always thought that our local MP would have partition for the police station to be reopen full time when the badminton road bridge closed. It takes 3 times as long for the police to get to yate from Emerson green and Filton.
“Not just that the population of South Gloustershire has quadruple since its not been opened. Its a bit like beeching axe of the railway lines a big mistake. We need the small police stations.”
Victoria Crew states: “What a surprise! Was obvious this was going to happen when the street marshalls were removed. People comes from out of area its such a popular place. Reinstate the marshalls and the safety measures that were in place from them. Always felt safe waiting for taxis and going around the High Street with them there.”
Robert Bayly believes: “It is getting noisier at night if you live in the street particularly at weekends. I am not convinced that all the incidents are caused by customers of the pubs. I have seen a group of youths causing damage and disturbance in the street.
“We have reported incidents to the police and council over the years but nothing gets done. There is too much traffic going through the street with all the new builds. No monitoring of speed and no crossings in the street. Sodbury is weekend party town for sure.”
Is the anti-social behaviour a result of cost cutting measures? Comment below of HERE to join in the conversation.