Council considering removing outdoor seating area in Derry's city centre
Removal of Waterloo Place outdoor seating area could cost up to £40,000 after ongoing incidents of anti-social behaviour
An outdoor seating area in the heart of Derry's city centre could be removed following numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour.
Derry City and Strabane District Council's Environment and Regeneration committee was presented with a report on preventing anti-social behaviour at the Waterloo Place parklet.
The Regeneration Manager’s report asked the council to consider removing the parklet, which was completed just over a year ago.
Installing the parklet cost £132,000 and would cost around £40,000 to remove according to the report. Installation was paid for by the Department for Communities as part of the Covid Recovery Revitalisation Programme but it will be the council that pays for its removal.
Sinn Féin councillor Emma McGinley (pictured right) said her party has received a number of complaints about antisocial behaviour in the area.
“As a party we were made aware of these issues by people that use the city centre and we're trying to find a resolution because there are many people who enjoy that seating area,” she said.
“There are a small number of people engaged in antisocial behaviour in the space, which has caused concerns. It's people consuming alcohol and the report indicates they're causing nuisance and annoyance to passers-by and local businesses. At times it has led to assaults and other criminal behaviours.
“The City Centre Initiative has put together an inter-agency working group to try and deal with those issues, It includes the Council, PSNI, City Centre Initiative and a combination of the welfare and housing support organisations who currently work with some of the individuals involved to try a coordinated approach.”
Cllr McGinley said removing the parklet would not solve the problem.
“It's an option that's on the table but if we get rid of that seating area where do those people go? That's not actually tackling the root cause of the problem, it's just moving it somewhere else.
“It would be my view that we have to remember some of the people who are engaged in anti-social behaviour are vulnerable with complex needs including addiction.
“There's already been proactive action taken. Council Officers, along with the Police have carried out joint operations in the space to engage with the individuals and groups that are consuming alcohol. There have been seven individuals at the minute who have been reported for street drinking.”
The report states the individuals involved in antisocial behaviour had 'previously displayed similar behaviour' in areas such as the Guildhall Square and Upper Strand Road.
According to the report, one of the issues in preventing people drinking at the parklet is that police in the North do not have the power to seize alcohol being consumed in public areas unless the drinker is under 18.
PSNI has increased its visibility in the centre in an attempt to discourage drinking and the inter-agency group has agreed to install signs informing people alcohol is banned in the area.