Street drinking in Hounslow [PDF]

The Community ViewThe Community ViewPeople perceive street drinkers to be aggressive and violent and a danger to society, even ifthis is often not the case. As study in Rotherham reported people resent and fear the presenceof street drinkers though there is no evidence to substantiate any real threat to public safety.There is an expectation that police and other services should act.“I used to use the park (Inwood) with my kid but cannot do so now because ofdrinkers and drug users, it is a pity for others kids”– Inwood Park Resident“Not good for the customers. Smoking & selling weed on the streets. Dustbin is full ofempty beer cans. Clients are scared to come to our offices because they areintimidated by the drinkers pet dogs as well as their street drinking”– Hounslow Central Businessman98 Community surveys were carried out in the Borough of Hounslow. Outreach workersinterviewed a cross section of local businesses and residents. (Copy of the survey Appendix 3)How Safe Do You Feel?Response Number %Safe 50 51Fairly Unsafe 19 19Unsafe 15 15Fairly Safe 8 8No answer 4 4Very Safe 2 2Total Responses 98 100%Outside the hot spots for traditional street drinkers in central Hounslow the majority ofrespondents cited drug users & dealers, beggars, ticket touts, & young people as their primarynuisance often resulting in feeling unsafe.Young People, particularly in large numbers wearing “hoodies”, in the town centre at nightwere mentioned by a significant number of respondents.Page 23