Complaints prompt Asda in Oadby to shut multi-storey car park
A supermarket has closed its multi-storey car park at night to stop youths gathering there to take drugs, rev cars and play music loudly into the early hours.
Asda in London Road, Oadby, is now shutting its car park from 10pm until 6am following complaints from neighbours about the anti-social behaviour.
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Police have said that because the car park is lit and sheltered, youths have been travelling from across the city to meet there.
Several complaints have been made to the police, local authorities and the store manager from residents in adjacent Regent Street and opposite on Leicester Road regarding the impact the noise was having on their lives.
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Complaints have centred on people racing in cars, performing wheel spins, playing stereos loudly, dealing drugs and dropping litter.
Resident Sarah Barson, who lives in Regent Street, welcomed the closure.
Ms Barson, 21, said: "It is about time they did this.
"The persistent noise and racket coming from over there until all hours has been ruining our lives.
"I have a 13-month-old daughter and she was always being kept awake or woken up by the screeching of car tyres or the loud music.
"Now we can have some peace in our lives."
Resident Betty Ellis also praised the move.
Mrs Ellis, 87, of Regent Street, said: "It is good the police and the supermarket have got together to sort this out.
"It was a real problem. The noise was awful and very inconsiderate.
"We, and other people in the street, had got really fed up with all the commotion, so this is very good news indeed."
Sergeant Vanessa Robinson, anti-social behaviour officer for the Oadby and Wigston local policing unit, said she had spoken to offenders at the scene.
"They state the location presents them with an open, lit space which is under cover and keeps them dry," she said.
"These very features encourage large groups of people to travel from across the city and use the car park as a meeting venue.
"Positive action has been taken by the police with regard to the people causing the problems, but a long-term solution was needed to solve the problem."
Asda store manager Andy Gooding said the supermarket had been working with the police to try to find a solution to the problem.
He said: "I believe we have a duty of care to our colleagues, our customers and residents to ensure we provide a safe shopping and working environment.
"Therefore, we have taken steps to close off the underground car park in the evenings between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
"We hope by taking these positive steps it will be evidence of our ability to listen to the needs of the community and respond appropriately to promote a safer community."
Comments
by bhavesh
Sunday, November 25 2012, 10:37PM
“at last!! it's only taken about three years to resolve this. i have complained many a time, as i did not feel safe at the time, lame asda management!!, profit before safety! as always, lame policing!!”
by daveb0360
Saturday, November 24 2012, 8:44PM
“Chappie1884
My God you've riled me with your attitude towards this growing menace.
For starters, nobody suggested locking them in a car park. And it doesn't matter whether they are causing the disturbance on private property! They are causing a disturbance and that's why people have complained........quite rightly. You also forget that these yobs actually have to drive to the location! This involves them driving their often noisily modified onto public roads and local streets to get there. Public streets that have residents who have a right to enjoy their peace. The length and breadth of this country is pestered with this growing annoyance so is it any wonder people complain.
Secondly, you refer to these yobs as 'kids' !? When we pass our test in this country, it is a test that presumes you will use your new found skills to drive on the public roads responsibly and safely. The responsibility is that of a young adult and comes with a price........that of being brought to the attention of the authorities if you abuse the privilege.
You also skirt around the fact that it is both, illegal to drive in a way to cause nuisance or distress to the public under Section 59.
Additionally, the vast majority of these cars are modified to include noisy exhausts. This is also illegal under the Vehicle Construction & Use Act.
Neither of these offences differentiate between a public or private place and the Police have the power to act against any such offences. Therefore, the Police, in not exercising their powers to confiscate the vehicles and in choosing to simply move them on, are guilty of ignoring the root cause of the problem! In addition, Police will continue to be called to the new 'hotspot' because of this failing. And that is a huge waste of scarce and valuable Police resources.
Many of these so called 'kids' will be the same ones who used to drop their bikes outside the corner shop, blocking the way for others etc. This is the beginning of our selfish youth coming to power. They have grown up in a society and within that avoids punishment or chastisement for their errant ways and are transitioning into adult life with the same selfish and carefree attitude and disrespect for others.
A few harsh lessons in life will actually result in their becoming better human beings. Forever referring to them as 'kids' will result in them always thinking of themselves as kids and behaving like kids when in fact, they want to be adults.
I'm afraid, to be an adult, means behaving like one and learning respect for the law, society and neighbours alike. It also means taking punishment as an adult and learning from it!”
by Chappy1884
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 1:55PM
“I love the Vigilante brigade on here, who wish to circumvent laws in order to facilitate their own ends. These are the same people who moan that said criminals get away with it because some lawyer finds a legal loophole or technicality which results in a lesser sentence.
In this case the problem has been dealt with, through a simple co-operation between the Police and the Supermarket, which costs a lot less than a Police operation. Asda, as will many other stores, will now more than likely deploy these measures to other sites, after all they want to remain popular in their local communities.
Locking these kids in a car park and taking their car off them for being noisy on private property would put the police in a very difficult situation.
They could inspect each vehicle and impound it or seize it if it's in an unsafe condition, but they cannot lock everyone in a car park. The car park would effectively become a custody suite, but without all the safety features of a custody suite. The detainees could injure themselves or others and cause damage to the building. What if one of them were to have a fit?
The Police and everyone else has to act within the law - and in this case a problem was identified, a solution determined and implemented and by the looks of it, it's worked.
They will have photo's of all the number plates and kids, the police aren't stupid. These youths will now go somewhere else. The reason kids didn't do this in the days of my grandparents is because cars were a lot less powerful, and a great deal more expensive relative to today, and there was a war on, so everyone was busy.
Just leave it to the Police instead of making up powers to suit yourselves.”
by daveb0360
Tuesday, November 20 2012, 10:42PM
“This is a growing problem up and down the country and as far as I can see, the Police have delegated the duty of curbing it to ASDA instead of using their powers. This will simply move them on and the whole problem will just relocate to another area.
Police officials, i.e. senior officers, absolutely MUST start doing their jobs.
It's a multi storey car park for christ's sake. It wouldn't take much Police effort or manpower to trap them in, make them walk home and confiscate their cars now would it. Then Police will say it's down to the cost of the impound and vehicle recovery...DUUUUHHH make the owners pay !!!”
by ghostof66pah
Tuesday, November 20 2012, 10:03PM
“Why do these youth feel the need to be out in the night causing a disturbance for residents?
LewisH1...
You could go home or maybe join a club of some sort? You know, Something that dosn't tag you as anti social.
Having a car brings resposibilty. showing off by revving up the engine and wheel spinning would suggest a lack of thought for others. And as for the loud music after dark, thats as bad...
Find somewhere else and if you cant find anywhere you should think of being at home!”
by georgeisafish
Tuesday, November 20 2012, 6:26PM
“there's been a drug "problem" in Oadby for years, normally hiding behind mummy and daddy in their substantial detatched house. seems it (the problem) has spilled on to the street?”
by DavidJCB
Monday, November 19 2012, 8:57PM
“Why do I pay my taxes to know the police are doing NOTHING to stop young crime that they know about?”
by LewisH1
Monday, November 19 2012, 8:34PM
“Where can i go now?”
by City_C10
Monday, November 19 2012, 4:37PM
“Cannot the police go there then if they know the car park area is being used as a drug den? The police could/can catch them in the act of the crime?”
by TheOverlord
Monday, November 19 2012, 1:00PM
“The Solution (is very simple)
Arrest those involved
Fine or send them to prison
Confiscate cars
Take away driving licenses
It won't take long for these morons to get the message.
Oh and nearly forgot, we may need to employ police officers to actually police and not parked behind a desk.
Go in peace my people.”