ON-THE-SPOT fines could be the answer to drunks who urinate in the street. Police in the UK have the power to impose penalties for disorderly behaviour and Inspector Roger Robilliard said he would welcome talks about introducing similar legislation locally.
‘We have a strong view against such behaviour. Even though it may be seen as a lower-end crime, it is nevertheless an unpleasant act,’ he said.
Inspector Robilliard was responding to Town resident Martin Bishop’s call to get tough on such drunks.
‘I have witnessed some really disgusting acts of so-called human behaviour,’ said Mr Bishop, an Aladdin’s Cave store supervisor.
The 42-year-old said he was fed up with the lack of respect people showed the island - especially weekend revellers, whom he accused of turning the streets into open sewers.
‘After a weekend, there are usually piles of vomit everywhere you look and broken glass, about a million fag ends and half-full takeaway cartons chucked everywhere - all because of drunken morons.’
Mr Bishop said the punishments being handed out to offenders were not a sufficient deterrent.
‘If a man was caught flashing, wouldn’t he get a hefty fine or even a jail sentence? Yet a youth can expose himself and urinate and people seem to tolerate it.
‘A minimum fine between £500 and £800 would be fair, in my opinion, plus a picture in the paper to name and shame would be good.’
However, States Works general manager Nigel Dorey said the problem was not getting worse.
‘I think the biggest change to Town is that there are more cigarette ends. But I think the urinating in doorways is no worse now than it’s ever been,’ he said.
‘Town certainly requires a lot of cleaning on a Saturday and Sunday morning. It’s a messy job, but our workers haven’t noticed an escalation in mess.’
Parish junior constable Deputy Jenny Tasker said the public must take the lead in making St Peter Port cleaner.
‘It is very distressing for us as a douzaine to receive these complaints when we can’t do much about it,’ she said.
‘We rely on States Works, which does a fantastic job, but it’s up to the public to be more responsible.’
Inspector Robilliard did not want to see the problem overstated.
‘I certainly wouldn’t agree that the streets are becoming a sewer.’
Article posted on 31st October, 2006 - 12.00am
Loading ...
Most Commented: