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Newbury Today Forum _ Newbury News _ Chavghanistan!
Posted by: Bill1 Aug 5 2010, 11:31 AM
Anybody in Bartholomew or Northbrook Street between 3 and 4 pm yesterday afternoon?
I was in town with my son and he was a bit frightened by what appeared to be rival gangs threatening and yelling abuse at each other this was between about 3.30and 3.45 and involved these people running at each other then confronting up close, repeatedly between St Nick's church and Iceland. A man was on his phone giving a running commentary to, I assumed, The Police, but nobody showed up, so maybe I was mistaken. a lot of people came out of shops to watch and someone I know told me it had been going on for at least half an hour before we witnessed it.
Later my wife, who was in Northbrook Street with our baby said similar things went on in an area there at around 4 and some girls were now also getting involved and also racially abusing a young woman of Asian complexion who was just passing by minding her own business.
I'd say the males I saw involved were mainly aged between 15 and 25, except one who was certainly the loudest and most provocative who, as well as looking completely wasted, appeared to more like 30.
If you did witness any of this, firstly, did the Police ever show up? and secondly, does anyone know what it was about or how it ended?
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 5 2010, 12:04 PM
The Police were probably cowering round the CCTV waiting for it to die down. 
Posted by: Bloggo Aug 5 2010, 12:59 PM
I was in town with my son and he was a bit frightened by what appeared to be rival gangs threatening and yelling abuse at each other this was between about 3.30and 3.45 and involved these people running at each other then confronting up close, repeatedly between St Nick's church and Iceland. A man was on his phone giving a running commentary to, I assumed, The Police, but nobody showed up, so maybe I was mistaken. a lot of people came out of shops to watch and someone I know told me it had been going on for at least half an hour before we witnessed it.
Later my wife, who was in Northbrook Street with our baby said similar things went on in an area there at around 4 and some girls were now also getting involved and also racially abusing a young woman of Asian complexion who was just passing by minding her own business.
I'd say the males I saw involved were mainly aged between 15 and 25, except one who was certainly the loudest and most provocative who, as well as looking completely wasted, appeared to more like 30.
If you did witness any of this, firstly, did the Police ever show up? and secondly, does anyone know what it was about or how it ended?
Surely one the retailers and normal public of Bartholomew street would have reported this fracas to the police or have we all become to accept this behaviour now.
If the police were called and did not respond, I wonder what the reason was?
Seems a great example of police reponse that I often complain about.
Posted by: Gumbo Aug 5 2010, 01:58 PM
If the police were called and did not respond, I wonder what the reason was?
Seems a great example of police reponse that I often complain about.
I am sorry to say that Newbury is just getting worse and worse. I don't know the answer and I am guessing neither do the authorities. I returned from a short holiday last week and the first sights we were greeted with as we drove in to town was the usual bunch of drinkers loitering outside Peggys in Bartholomew St, shouting up at the window above (I think a group of them live up there) and then chav after chav along Bartholomew St and then Craven Rd, I turned to Mrs Gumbo and said 'Ah it's good to be home!". It is sooooooooo noticeable and really is a giant **** stain on our town.
Maybe the Newbury Weekely News should start a campaign 'Save Newbury!
Posted by: Bloggo Aug 5 2010, 02:30 PM
Maybe the Newbury Weekely News should start a campaign 'Save Newbury!
Yep, a really attractive welcome to visitors to the town who come to enjoy the casual and sophisticated shopping experience offered by Newbury.
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 5 2010, 02:52 PM
The description reminds me of Bracknell (in the 70s).
Posted by: DrPepper Aug 5 2010, 03:27 PM
Does Newbury get visitors then, not sure what they would be coming for - shopping? sight seeing 
? quality dining? entertainment?
Guess we have to be grateful that it's only the poor soles that live in Newbury that have to put up with it and the word won't spread.
Posted by: x2lls Aug 5 2010, 03:32 PM
Ah yes, Great Hollands, I had a flat overlooking the William Twigg. The good ol' days
Posted by: Hugh Saskin Aug 5 2010, 03:41 PM
Yes, these young fogeys have got it made nowadays. No online forums in the 1970s for moaning and whingeing, you needed to write a letter to a newspaper or your MP to complain back then and, in all probability, doing it in your own time and not wasting your employers
Posted by: Bill1 Aug 5 2010, 06:53 PM
All very interesting I'm sure, but does anybody know what happened?
Also I did say I wasn't sure if the Police were contacted, however the length of time it went on, I'm surprised none saw it whilst on patrol.
Posted by: On the edge Aug 5 2010, 07:00 PM
? quality dining? entertainment?Guess we have to be grateful that it's only the poor soles that live in Newbury that have to put up with it and the word won't spread.
Fair amount of business visitors. Bad reputations spread like wildfire. I was in Essex a few months back - talking to a business contact. We met up later that evening ror dinner and his wife came to the hotel to pick him up. Chatting, she asked where I came from. When I told her, she said 'Isn't that near Thatcham - the firm I work for has a depot there, poor you awful isn't it'
Posted by: DrPepper Aug 6 2010, 07:49 AM
Agree, business people will have to come to Newbury and will spread the word. In a previous live I spent a awful amount of time travelling the country and have visited every town with a population of 5,000 or more (the criteria for Royal Mail to have a delivery office there - or at least it was a few years back, may have changed now), as such I have seen very many worse towns than Newbury, many as bad, but also a fast amount more that are so much nicer.
Anybody who has been to Gateshead will know how Northbrook Street will look in a few years when Parkway eventually opens, it's already halfway there.
Why are they building more shops when the Kennet Centre has never been full (bar it's first few years) and Northbrook Street has pretty much always had vacancies?
What I'm getting at is derelict/uncared for towns will attract the type a certain type of person.....
Posted by: Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera Aug 6 2010, 07:55 AM
Dear Colleagues and citizens of Newbury and West Berkshire,
The incident as reported, everyone seems to accept is intolerable. I would commend all those who witnessed this incident, or have any information, to contact the Thames Valley Police themselves on 0845 850 5505.
I am sure that the local police commanders, Supt. Robin Rickard, Chief Inspector Judith Johnson or any other members of their staff will be only too pleased to follow up any leads.
Yours
Ruwan
Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
General Secretary, West Berkshire Minority Ethnic Forum (WBMEF)
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 6 2010, 09:17 AM
What is remarkable, is how an incident could carry on for so long without any reaction from the authorities. Someone must have reported it; is the area not covered by CCTV?
Posted by: Bloggo Aug 6 2010, 09:20 AM
I think the worrying thing about this is that it would appear that this lack of response is no longer remarkable or isolated.
Posted by: Roost Aug 6 2010, 10:12 AM
So how long did it go on for then? And did the police attend or not? And what actually did happen?
Nobody on here yet has actually answered these yet!
Again, an awful lot of supposition but no fact!
Posted by: Bloggo Aug 6 2010, 10:24 AM
Nobody on here yet has actually answered these yet!
Read Bill1's original post which states the time of the incident and duration prior to him witnessing it. Seems pretty clear to me.
You're right nobody has answered whether or not the police turned up. That's what we all want to know.
What supposition?
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 6 2010, 10:35 AM
Nobody on here yet has actually answered these yet!
Again, an awful lot of supposition but no fact!
Please read the original post again, but here's a fact for you: between 3.30pm and 3.45pm, no police showed up.
Allegedly, a lot of people came out of shops to watch an affray taking place, and someone who knew Bill1 told him it had been going on for at least half an hour before Bill1 witnessed it.
Is that enough 'fact'?
Posted by: Bill1 Aug 6 2010, 11:52 AM
Don't have a go at Roost people, he/she is only pointing out that nobody has been able to clarify one way or the other whether the Police were informed.
As for whether there is CCTV coverage in the main shopping streets of Newbury, I'd be most surprised if there wasn't.
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 6 2010, 11:57 AM
If we don't know, we don't know, but roost presumably didn't read the your post properly. Roost wanted to know more than what you state. Roost did seem to have a pop at us in the post though.
Posted by: Roost Aug 6 2010, 01:48 PM
To anyone who felt that I was having a pop at them, please accept my apologies. That truly was not my intention.
Those who observed that I apparently did not read Bill's original post are incorrect BUT I did obviously not read it in enough depth, so again my apologies.
What I was, in my own clumsy way trying to point out was that we don't know if it was reported to police, if the police did respond, if so in what scale and if there were any results.
The apparent supposition which I felt was evident in previous posts was that the police did nothing. This may well be the case however we don't actually know!
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 6 2010, 02:46 PM
I wasn't saying they saw it but did nothing, it is that something like this could happen in the high street on a normal weekday summer's afternoon without intervention, is the issue. Like I said, did the CCTV not pick anything up, if not why not? It is because of CCTV, I presume, that we don't have so many police on the beat?
Posted by: Roost Aug 6 2010, 03:45 PM
Assuming of course that the CCTV had an operator and hasn't yet moved to Maidenhead or Windsor or wherever it's going to!
You're absolutely right Andy, something that happened as described SHOULD have had some kinda response.
As for the reasons for 'less police' I strongly suspect there'll soon be a new one. 'Budgetary constraints' or 'efficiency drive', both of which of course mean pretty much the same!
Posted by: Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera Aug 6 2010, 08:26 PM
Persons with any information relating to this or other cases of anti-social behaviour within the Newbury Town Centre please contact Police Sergeant Gavin Ward Gavin.Ward@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Yours
Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Aug 9 2010, 08:12 AM
I have been banging on about this particular problem in Bart Street for ages as you are well aware.
From what I understand (although this may be just rumour) about 8 to 12 months ago a large group of 'people' from Kingsclere were moved into Bart Street as they had caused so many problems in the Kingsclere area with regard to alcohol, drugs, fights etc.
On Saurday night I witnessed a fight in St Michaels Road where one chap actually choked another guy into unconciousness and was just performing the 'coup de gras' to finish him off with a neck break when a member of the Public from Stan James intervened and stopped him.
I must admit I did not intervene as I'm sad to say they were both 'scum' and if there had been a murder a large number of witnesses were present so it would have been 2 less to worry about.
Some people would say 'how could you be so cold?' but if you witness this every day as I do then you rather just give up and just hope they get their worthless lives over with as quickly as possible.
Posted by: Bloggo Aug 9 2010, 08:19 AM
From what I understand (although this may be just rumour) about 8 to 12 months ago a large group of 'people' from Kingsclere were moved into Bart Street as they had caused so many problems in the Kingsclere area with regard to alcohol, drugs, fights etc.
On Saurday night I witnessed a fight in St Michaels Road where one chap actually choked another guy into unconciousness and was just performing the 'coup de gras' to finish him off with a neck break when a member of the Public from Stan James intervened and stopped him.
I must admit I did not intervene as I'm sad to say they were both 'scum' and if there had been a murder a large number of witnesses were present so it would have been 2 less to worry about.
Some people would say 'how could you be so cold?' but if you witness this every day as I do then you rather just give up and just hope they get their worthless lives over with as quickly as possible.
This is frightening. The suggestion that murdering someone on the street is an acceptable result of a street fight is shocking. Where will all of this violent behaviour end?
Was there any police involvement here?
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Aug 9 2010, 08:48 AM
Was there any police involvement here?
Where will it end? In deaths. Police Involvement? Of course not. Don't be daft although I must admit there was a large presence of Police on Friday night as I saw quite a few cars and what looked like a stop / search / arrest in Station Road.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Aug 9 2010, 04:13 PM
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?articleID=14206
Not surprising really.
Posted by: Roost Aug 9 2010, 05:04 PM
Yeah apart from the fact that the high police presence was seen on Friday and the robbery allegedly occurred on Saturday.....
Posted by: JeffG Aug 9 2010, 06:23 PM
A mugging in daylight. Is Newbury turning into some sort of inner city?
Posted by: Iommi Aug 9 2010, 06:25 PM
It's not the first time, and I presume at this stage it is an allegation.
Posted by: JeffG Aug 9 2010, 06:27 PM
Are you suggesting it might not have happened?
Posted by: Iommi Aug 9 2010, 06:31 PM
Unless it is corroborated, it will remain an allegation.
Posted by: JeffG Aug 9 2010, 06:59 PM
So the police should ignore a report that someone was held up at knifepoint unless there was a witness? You seem to have a pretty low opinion of ordinary people's honesty.
Posted by: Iommi Aug 9 2010, 07:18 PM
(FFS) and you seem to have pretty low comprehension skills.
I did NOT say the Police should ignore it. I said it remains an allegation unless corroborated. That is ALL I said.
Posted by: JeffG Aug 9 2010, 07:50 PM
I comprehend perfectly well. Of course theoretically it is only an allegation unless corroborated, but I wondered why you felt the need to make that point. I am prepared to take the report at face value and to believe that the man was in fact mugged and relieved of his property.
Of course, if there wasn't a witness then he could have been making the whole thing up, but on the balance of probabilities I doubt that that was the case.
Posted by: On the edge Aug 9 2010, 07:52 PM
The worrying thing is that after all the money spent on CPSOs, Wardens, Neighbourhood Watch and the like seems to have been a waste. Crime appears to be on the up round here. And when its reported, the 'Aaah we need some witnesses' attitude doesn't help. Quite appreciate that might be the dead hand of the CPS in action - another example of the justice system not working. Our justice system never used to rely on hosts of witnesses etc. only need two and a Magistrate. Lets get back to real Policing and leave social work to social workers.
Posted by: Iommi Aug 9 2010, 08:09 PM
We shouldn't be making decisions about how things are from allegations, that is my point. It might, or might not have happened as reported. I would be surprised if it is made up, but it wouldn't be the first time someone has made something up like this. We can't easily say things are bad until we are sure things are as reported.
I understand the police were called (and attended) to Greenham at the weekend. A mate of mine said there were a dozen or more youths all pissed up making a nuisance of themselves in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Posted by: On the edge Aug 9 2010, 09:36 PM
Don't think we are. This is simply 'yet another' crime story in Newbury. There are far too many and nothing much is being done in spite of a huge injection of money and resource. This one may have been made up - but that does not discount the many that aren't. All I'm saying is lets get this sorted - but properly this time.
Posted by: Andy Capp Aug 9 2010, 09:39 PM
Taking into account current circumstances, what practical things do you think should/could be done? I can't help but think that what we have is the result of something done, or not, sometime ago.
Posted by: On the edge Aug 10 2010, 06:10 AM
The Probation Service should properly enforce community orders for a start. Apparently they don't today and not simply because of lack of resource. We should remove the witholding of names and report court proceedings as we did some time back - name and shame. Magistrates should be far less lenient and be measured against the sentences handed out; which should not include bindings over etc. The Police should be seen on the streets not in cars and not in pairs. For all, on going training and development should be slanted at detection and enforcement - rather than social. None of thios would cost. I've even heard some involved in criminal justice refer to their customers. They only have one customer - that's the Queen.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Aug 10 2010, 08:18 AM
I agree it is an allegation. I think the guy concerned has 'balls' for making it. No doubt when he was robbed he was told that he would be 'stabbed up' the next time he was seen if he reported it to the Police.
Playing Devils advocate Iommi - How many Robberies / attempted Robberies do you think are NOT reported through fear of reprisal in this area? I'd say 10 robberies to every 1 reported would be an UNDER estimate.
Posted by: Iommi Aug 10 2010, 09:26 AM
Why?
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Aug 10 2010, 09:43 AM
Because people don't report crime anymore and even if you do it's not likely to be solved.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10912778
Posted by: Iommi Aug 10 2010, 09:52 AM
I don't doubt some people don't report crime unless they need a crime report number, but I was wondering where you got the 1 in 10 figure from.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Aug 10 2010, 10:06 AM
Its just a haphazard guess Iommi - I don't have any details. I know from personal experience though that a number of people I know have had this sort of thing happend to them (robbed) but have not done anything about it. Thats all.
My point really is that I don't think the 'crime stats' bear any resemblence to what is actually going on in the Streets of Newbury. You can prove anything with Stats. Do you really believe that there is less crime in Newbury now than there was a few years ago?
Posted by: DrPepper Aug 10 2010, 10:13 AM
My point really is that I don't think the 'crime stats' bear any resemblence to what is actually going on in the Streets of Newbury. You can prove anything with Stats. Do you really believe that there is less crime in Newbury now than there was a few years ago?
I know two people who recently (within a couple of months) have been mugged for their phones, one put up a struggle and won, the other lost their phone - neither reported it. So from my experience 100% of crime, know to me, goes up-reported
Posted by: DrPepper Aug 10 2010, 10:13 AM
My point really is that I don't think the 'crime stats' bear any resemblence to what is actually going on in the Streets of Newbury. You can prove anything with Stats. Do you really believe that there is less crime in Newbury now than there was a few years ago?
I know two people who recently (within a couple of months) have been mugged for their phones, one put up a struggle and won, the other lost their phone - neither reported it. So from my experience 100% of crime, know to me, goes up-reported
Posted by: Bloggo Aug 10 2010, 10:43 AM
I quite agree. Newbury is slowly becoming a place where you won't be able to walk alone in without getting mugged even in daylight.
Newbury has changed, the reasons are probably many but there seems to be a whole new breed of unsavoury people moved into the Bartholomew street area. So now we have another rough area in addition to St Georges ave, The Nightigales, Skylings and some parts of Turnpike.
Unless the authorities address the lawless and selfish behaviour of these people the the "Newbury Vision" will be somewhat different than that which WBC had hoped for.
Posted by: Brad Aug 23 2010, 11:12 AM
Newbury has changed, the reasons are probably many but there seems to be a whole new breed of unsavoury people moved into the Bartholomew street area. So now we have another rough area in addition to St Georges ave, The Nightigales, Skylings and some parts of Turnpike.
Unless the authorities address the lawless and selfish behaviour of these people the the "Newbury Vision" will be somewhat different than that which WBC had hoped for.
Skyllings isn't what it used to be, seems ok these days lived there for a few years and never had a problem.
I live in a much posher area now, don't you know! But i got assaulted walking the path from retail park- town not very surprisingly the guys that hit me were coming from "the nightingales".
Posted by: pinkfluffyclouds Sep 2 2010, 09:18 PM
My son came in to town today on the bus so I walked from work to meet him. Crossed at the lights by Montys to walk round towards the bus station...... "Av ya got 50p for the fone box?" my response "no sorry I don't have any change" Why am I sorry?..... not 20 paces later another youth "ave ya got a light" my response "no sorry I don't smoke" Again why am I sorry? "Av you got a bit of cardboard in ya bag?" my response "no I don't" ha whose sorry now..... "Av ya got 40 pence for the fone box?" WTF is the local telephones addicted to drugs now? Oh and by the way where is the nearest phone box to there?? my response "no I don't have 40 pence for the phone box" that told you.... "oh come on ya gotta have some money" my response "go and get a job and you will also have some money" see the forum has made me want to stand up to these (people). "I av a job look I'm in me work stuff" my response "well if you are working why don't you have any money?" shrug of shoulders then "come on you must have a piece of cardboard in ya bag" my response "no I don't" next question "are you single"..... Oh my is he trying flattery now. I know I am the wrong side of 40, short and overweight but surely that won't make me give him money.... and why was he so insistent I open my bag to find a piece of cardboard is there a new scam out there... get her to open her bag grab purse and run... BEWARE ALL... Mind you he would have been lucky to do a quick grab and run it takes me half an hour to find anything in my bag !!!
Posted by: GMR Sep 2 2010, 09:30 PM
I live in a much posher area now, don't you know! But i got assaulted walking the path from retail park- town not very surprisingly the guys that hit me were coming from "the nightingales".
What it used to be wasn't much cop either.
Posted by: On the edge Sep 2 2010, 09:31 PM
Its incredible isn't it. The Police and those supposed to be keeping our streets safe claim to be listening and 'working with the community' but still this sort of thing goes on You couldn't make it up. Wasn't one of Nelson's relatives a vicar round here at one time? He could have been chaplain to the local constabulary 'I see no vagrants'
Posted by: GMR Sep 2 2010, 09:36 PM
They may 'listen' but that doesn't mean they follow through or do anything. I think their remit was 'listen' to the pubic but then their chiefs forgot to tell them what do do afterwards. A typical Blair piece of gobbledygook. They obviously thought that 'listening' meant 'final solution'. Piffmaffpoof and it is all solved. Twenty-first century wisdom.
Posted by: Iommi Sep 2 2010, 09:37 PM
Just like politicians over use of the word 'change' (without fully explaining what exactly).
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 3 2010, 08:03 AM
Anyone got a spare £800k for a decent sized Country pad? I can't be bothered to earn it so would appreciate it if someone just gave me the money. 
Posted by: JeffG Sep 3 2010, 08:53 AM
I think that's what he was implying.
Why on earth would you have a bit of cardboard in your bag, and why would he want it? It wouldn't be enough for a bed unless you have a very large bag...
Posted by: Iommi Sep 3 2010, 09:22 AM
One might have a bit of card on them that could be used for a roach.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 3 2010, 09:24 AM
Great minds think alike...
Posted by: Bloggo Sep 3 2010, 09:36 AM
If I understand correctly, a "Roach" is the butt end of a spliff. What would this have to do with a piece of cardboard?
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 3 2010, 09:37 AM
Because you tear a little bit of the cardboard off to make the roach....
Posted by: Bloggo Sep 3 2010, 09:47 AM
Don't you mean " make a spliff"? Or in this context they are the same thing?
Posted by: JeffG Sep 3 2010, 09:57 AM
Thanks for the explanation. I was wondering where cockroaches came into this...
Posted by: pinkfluffyclouds Sep 3 2010, 01:19 PM
Oh not really up on drug usage so would have no idea about a roach !!!! He was fiddling about with what I assumed was a roll up - so yes a roll up but with extra ingredients I assume.... geeze how naive am I ?? Maybe they need to run chav schools for the over 30
Posted by: NWNREADER Sep 3 2010, 07:03 PM
A spliff is a roll-up containing cannabis. Cannabis burns very hot, so the spliff needs a cooling filter. A rolled up pice of card (often the flap of a Rizla pack) makes such a filter and is called a roach/roach end.
Posted by: On the edge Sep 3 2010, 07:03 PM
In either case, he should have had his collar felt.
Posted by: x2lls Sep 4 2010, 06:47 AM
It isn't all bad news.
Recently in Birmingham, my wifes son was approached in a subway by a would be mugger.
Imagine the muggers surprise when he was suddenly on the floor nursing a broken nose, £30 down and a smashed phone!...
Bliss
Posted by: On the edge Sep 4 2010, 07:40 AM
Recently in Birmingham, my wifes son was approached in a subway by a would be mugger.
Imagine the muggers surprise when he was suddenly on the floor nursing a broken nose, £30 down and a smashed phone!...
Bliss
He also deserves his day in court....to be commended by the Magistrates and given another £30 as a reward! Please thank him for us.
Posted by: GMR Sep 4 2010, 10:19 AM
The way the system works it would be the wife that would be in front of the magistrates and the criminal (victim in the eyes of the law) being rewarded for the trauma he suffered by the 'aggressive' wife.
Posted by: Iommi Sep 4 2010, 11:05 AM
It was the wife son that punched the would be mugger, but yes, I quite like natural justice in this form. Anyone remember the YouTube clip of the Karate expert punching that yob in his garden.
Posted by: On the edge Sep 4 2010, 12:18 PM
Rather difficult if you are an OAP or a lone woman. But then as we seem to condone scams where underage kids are asked to go and by fags at the corner shop; we could apply the same logic to clearing the streets. Plain clothed PSCOs, or a few stout hearted citizens.....
Posted by: JeffG Sep 4 2010, 01:39 PM
Reminds me of a chap I used to work with. Someone tried to mug him at a cashpoint in Hammersmith after he had drawn some money. He just happened to be a black belt in karate...
Posted by: GMR Sep 4 2010, 01:49 PM
I agree and Yes.
Posted by: GMR Sep 4 2010, 01:50 PM
Wouldn't that go against the criminals Human Rights?
Posted by: GMR Sep 4 2010, 01:51 PM
Brilliant! Did the
Posted by: JeffG Sep 4 2010, 07:48 PM
I believe so, but he didn't get any money
Posted by: GMR Sep 4 2010, 07:59 PM
So not all good news then!
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 6 2010, 08:59 AM
Talking of Chavghanistan. Would a Policeman any Policeman please patrol Bartholomew Street, Pound Street and St Michaels Road between 5pm and 7pm at the weekends. The agressive behaviour of a certain individual that is asking all and sundry for money at this time outside the Newsagents is tantamount to extortion. Some like me ignore him and carry on our way despite being given verbal abuse. Others who feel intimidated give him money. And I have never seen a Policeman at this time of day in this area. Whether it be due to shift changes I am not certain but a presence would be welcome all the same.
Posted by: JeffG Sep 6 2010, 10:19 AM
Perhaps he needs the money to buy his copy of the Daily Mail.
Incidentally, driving back through town at 7 o'clock on Saturday evening, I spotted two real police officers on foot proceeding along Market Street in a westerly direction opposite the bus station! I feel like someone reporting the first cuckoo of spring
Posted by: Bloggo Sep 6 2010, 10:43 AM
Incidentally, driving back through town at 7 o'clock on Saturday evening, I spotted two real police officers on foot proceeding along Market Street in a westerly direction opposite the bus station! I feel like someone reporting the first cuckoo of spring
Priceless.Posted by: Jayjay Sep 6 2010, 04:28 PM
Trust you have reported this person to the police TDH. If they dont know about it, they cant do anything about it and they dont all read this site.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 24 2010, 08:41 AM
Chavghanistan UPDATE!!
Opposite Stan James in Bart Street yesterday - Woman bleeding and incoherent outside the Newsagenets. Usual suspects with Special Brew in hand congregating around her. Paramedics, ambulance, security guards, Police (who allowed the **** to carry on drinking the Sepcial Brew whilst this 'human' was being attended to). What a waste of money and resources. Some of the people around me were so fed up they actually said to me 'why don't they let her die..'
And then.... on the way home driving up the Andover Hill a man was lying in the middle of the Andover Road stopping traffic unable to stand and flayling his arms around. He had either had an accident (which I doubt) or he was so innebriated he had fallen into the road and was unable to get up. The poor woman in the car in the opposite lane had to stop and try and 'attend' to this individual.
Its getting worse.....
Posted by: Bofem Sep 24 2010, 10:04 AM
First, you moan there's no police, then when they turn up you say it's a waste of time.
What an intolerant town we're becoming, where people would rather injured people die than help them.
Posted by: Bloggo Sep 24 2010, 10:19 AM
What an intolerant town we're becoming, where people would rather injured people die than help them.
Not altogether surprising though when those people that live or work in the town are experiencing anti social behaviour in all it's manifestations on perhaps a daily basis.
There are far to many drunks and yobs in the streets making life unpleasant for those going about their business and draining the resourses that could be used elswhere on those that contribute to society.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 24 2010, 10:29 AM
What an intolerant town we're becoming, where people would rather injured people die than help them.
I did not moan about there being no police - just that when they turned up they should have confiscated the alcohol and poured it down the drain. I was also complaining that those that contrubute NOTHING to society quite often are those that drain its resources the most. And I did not agree about the comments by some - I just reported on what had been said.
Posted by: Bloggo Sep 24 2010, 10:36 AM
You have to ask the question why didn't the police confiscate the alcohol being drunk in the street? Isn't it against the law to consume alcohol in a public place?
Seems like an example of weakness on their part.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 24 2010, 10:55 AM
Seems like an example of weakness on their part.
It's a question I ask all the time. It's like they have just given up. I'd like to see all Newsagents in the area stopped from selling alcohol so that people can only buy it from Supermarkets who seem to have a stricter policy on who they serve it to.
Posted by: JeffG Sep 24 2010, 11:08 AM
Since when has it been an offence to drink alcohol in the street when over 18, unless in a designated area? Not a pleasant thing to see I agree, but I doubt if the police had powers to confiscate it.
Posted by: Biker1 Sep 24 2010, 11:31 AM
Going by the drink adverts plastered in the window of the newsagent in Pound Street I would say drinking in the street is actively encouraged!
Posted by: Bloggo Sep 24 2010, 11:35 AM
Well it's another example of the erosion of standards in Newbury and no doubt many other towns. What surprises me is that so many people find it acceptable.
Oh well I guess you get what you deserve.
Posted by: Iommi Sep 24 2010, 11:54 AM
I think few people find it 'acceptable'. I understand that there was a prohibition order in town, but the 'café culture' plan scuppered its enforcement. I presume it is still illegal to be drunk and disorderly in a public place though?
Posted by: pinkfluffyclouds Sep 24 2010, 12:21 PM
Opposite Stan James in Bart Street yesterday - Woman bleeding and incoherent outside the Newsagenets. Usual suspects with Special Brew in hand congregating around her. Paramedics, ambulance, security guards, Police (who allowed the **** to carry on drinking the Sepcial Brew whilst this 'human' was being attended to). What a waste of money and resources. Some of the people around me were so fed up they actually said to me 'why don't they let her die..'
And then.... on the way home driving up the Andover Hill a man was lying in the middle of the Andover Road stopping traffic unable to stand and flayling his arms around. He had either had an accident (which I doubt) or he was so innebriated he had fallen into the road and was unable to get up. The poor woman in the car in the opposite lane had to stop and try and 'attend' to this individual.
Its getting worse.....
I also drove past the two girls sitting on the pavement with facial or head injuries being attended to by the police and yes was very surprised that they were still clutching their tins of Special Brew !!!!!
The man on Andover Road literally fell straight off the pavement. I was driving up the hill and he was on the opposite side of the road. Luckily the car coming the other way was a way back so was able to stop. The male driver got out of the car and asked the man if he could help him but I think he got a load of abuse. The man in the road was with a female and she did not look that drunk but I think she had been drinking. There was a female passenger in the car that stopped. I did not stay. I have been abused enough by drunks and was not prepared to get any more. Also the last time I tried to help a woman who I thought had fallen off her bike I was told by the emergency services to leave her where she was because she was drunk.......
Must have been the atmospheric pressure affecting them all !!! - oh and the Special Brew...
Posted by: Bloggo Sep 24 2010, 12:23 PM
Yes, maybe "tolerated" would be more accurate.
Yes, you would think so but it has been suggested that the police turn a blind eye on occassions.
Posted by: Bofem Sep 24 2010, 12:25 PM
Oh well I guess you get what you deserve.
Tish and piffle.
In the 1760s, Newbury was renowned for prize fights, ****-fighting, illegal gambling and prostitution - we were the party town en route to Bath. There was some shocking behaviour.
In the 1880s Newbury had over 75 pubs, and the NWN was full of drunks getting fined - probably as a result of 24 hour drinking (the Temperance Hall set up a coffee shop to combat pub culture).
And I'm not defending street drinking, just pointing out that it was ever thus, so I am not sure what "erosion of standards" you refer to.
Posted by: Bloggo Sep 24 2010, 12:35 PM
In the 1760s, Newbury was renowned for prize fights, ****-fighting, illegal gambling and prostitution - we were the party town en route to Bath. There was some shocking behaviour.
In the 1880s Newbury had over 75 pubs, and the NWN was full of drunks getting fined - probably as a result of 24 hour drinking (the Temperance Hall set up a coffee shop to combat pub culture).
And I'm not defending street drinking, just pointing out that it was ever thus, so I am not sure what "erosion of standards" you refer to.
Really? well that's a great pity.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 24 2010, 12:44 PM
In the 1760s, Newbury was renowned for prize fights, ****-fighting, illegal gambling and prostitution - we were the party town en route to Bath. There was some shocking behaviour.
In the 1880s Newbury had over 75 pubs, and the NWN was full of drunks getting fined - probably as a result of 24 hour drinking (the Temperance Hall set up a coffee shop to combat pub culture).
And I'm not defending street drinking, just pointing out that it was ever thus, so I am not sure what "erosion of standards" you refer to.
But I did not see the proliferation of it when I was growing up in the 70s and 80s. Certainly not during the day time anyway....
Posted by: pinkfluffyclouds Sep 24 2010, 12:49 PM
The thing is this guy on Andover Road could have been killed and maybe some of you will say that it would be no great loss but what about the driver of the vehicle who would have been unable to miss him. I really can not describe it he was walking along the pavement and the next thing literally fell into the road and with a **** of a bang to his head. Let's hope maybe he thinks twice about being under the influence at 5.20 pm but then I doubt it.
Posted by: Iommi Sep 24 2010, 02:12 PM
Pubs shut in the afternoons back then! Plus, they used to have landlords that possibly took greater care with its patrons (who they allowed in). This is also a by-product of the pedestrianisation, amongst other things (cheap supermarket alcohol). Having said all that, I remember seeing drunks going about their business in the 70s and 80s - there were a number of local celebrities in that field.
And as we learnt from yesterday's news: the old bill have no care for ASB. Not 'sexy' enough it seems.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 24 2010, 02:25 PM
And as we learnt from yesterday's news: the old bill have no care for ASB. Not 'sexy' enough it seems.
Agreed. You did see drunks back then but it was the exception rather than the rule! ASB is a menace in some parts of the town now. I'm currently looking for somewhere elseto live and certain parts of town, which were once nice are now riddled with this vermin.
Posted by: Bloggo Sep 24 2010, 02:31 PM
This can't be right where law abiding people are having to leave the area in which they have lived for some time because of the ASB of yobs who have moved into the area.
This is how ghettos and no-go areas develope because the authorities fail police the area and allow minor crime to persist.
Posted by: Strafin Sep 24 2010, 07:54 PM
I went past the incident, once everything had calmed down, took me a while though because one of the idiots had parked their car diagonally half across a disabled space and half in the road. Not one of the drunks, sadly but one of the constabulary.
Posted by: Roost Sep 25 2010, 03:05 PM
I'm assuming that the incident was treated as an emergency (yes it is just an assumption as I don't know what the incident was), in which case would you rather that the "idiot" had taken the time to carefully select the nearest parking bay and park accordingly?
I can hear it now when they come out to the next assault. "Sorry sir / madam that I couldn't get here in time but took me ages to find a suitable parking space that didn't inconvenience somebody".
Ok that is of course assuming that they even turn up....!
Posted by: Strafin Sep 25 2010, 04:56 PM
Yes I do, if possible, there was 2 empty spaces, and he drove sideways against the kerb and left it there. If it was an emergency he should have moved it afterwards. When I went by all the traffic in one direction had to stop because a coach was trying to get past, and the copper was just standing chatting to someone watching.
Posted by: gardeb Sep 26 2010, 06:23 PM
Unbelievable !!
Lucky the parking wardens weren't there or he would have got a ticket as well.
Perhaps a complaint to the Chief Constable is warranted !!
Posted by: Gumbo Sep 27 2010, 10:15 AM
Have noticed over the last couple of weeks that a few of our lovely town drunks are now positioning themselves outside Rio's to catch the early morning commuters walking to the station. Today I was asked for 20p, I politely decined and carried on my way but behind me I heard one of them say to the other "What's up with people this morning?" if I were the confrontational type I would have liked to turn round and explain to him in some detail what is up with asking people for money but I am not so quietly carried on my way to work.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 27 2010, 10:53 AM
Tut Tut Gumbo. I thought thats why we worked. To give the town drunks money so they can buy Special Brew in the morning and then shout abuse at us when drunk when we are on the way home after work.
By the way - the girl in the incident the other night had razor blades in her mouth. She should obviously be sectioned as she is a danger to her self and possibly others.
Posted by: pinkfluffyclouds Sep 27 2010, 12:15 PM
Good job she had the Special Brew to get them down with they can be hellish to swallow !!!! Of course she won't get sectioned where would they put her.... back out on the streets - care in the community....
Posted by: Gumbo Sep 27 2010, 03:18 PM
By the way - the girl in the incident the other night had razor blades in her mouth. She should obviously be sectioned as she is a danger to her self and possibly others.
What annoys me about myself is that I said 'no sorry' when in my head I said something totally different which would no doubt get my post deleted
Still not sure what the solution is to this problem, obviously these people have some deep rooted issues and probably a trouble life but sometimes I feel like the American General characther that Kenny Everett once did on his television show. Apologies to those too young to remember but feel free to google the words '"round them up, put them in a field and" to get what I am on about.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 27 2010, 03:44 PM
Still not sure what the solution is to this problem, obviously these people have some deep rooted issues and probably a trouble life but sometimes I feel like the American General characther that Kenny Everett once did on his television show. Apologies to those too young to remember but feel free to google the words '"round them up, put them in a field and" to get what I am on about.
Sounds like a waste of bullets to me!
Posted by: x2lls Sep 28 2010, 10:17 AM
Thought this very apt!!
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=902_1285537465
Posted by: dannyboy Sep 28 2010, 10:26 AM
Bombs, it would be a waste of bombs.....
Posted by: Richard Garvie Sep 28 2010, 11:25 AM
This is why licensing teams need to stop putting resources into entrapment techniques with local venues and target the retailers. Ban these people from consuming alcohol within a set area (asbo?) then find out where these people are getting their alcohol and close the shops down. This has gone far enough.
With regards to premises, focus efforts on tracing trouble back to venues who have allowed them to get smashed, with even tougher penalties for venues that discount alcohol.
Posted by: Gumbo Sep 28 2010, 11:47 AM
With regards to premises, focus efforts on tracing trouble back to venues who have allowed them to get smashed, with even tougher penalties for venues that discount alcohol.
As I have previously stated I think giving all or a proportion of these people's benefits in vouchers that could only be redemmed for food and clothing would go some way to reduce this problem as well.
Posted by: Richard Garvie Sep 28 2010, 12:00 PM
I'm sure they would have some kind of legal argument under human rights, but I love the idea.
Posted by: Gumbo Sep 28 2010, 12:12 PM
You have to be kidding me! They spend all their day getting pi$$ed using mainly money from benefit that the majority of society suppliment by going out to work and then when the average person in the straight says "hold on a minute that doesn't seem right" and suggests a possile alternative it is thrown out because it would be infringing the pi$$ heads human rights!! seriously this is why this country is on its knees!
Posted by: Richard Garvie Sep 28 2010, 12:17 PM
You are totally right. Part of the joys of belonging to Europe!!!
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Sep 28 2010, 01:59 PM
I could not agree more. I caught one woman in front of me in the shop in Pound St trying to swop milk tokens (whatever they are?) for Special Brew. And another one was trying to fence what was obviously stolen goods for the Brew.
Posted by: Brad Sep 28 2010, 02:24 PM
I think this "special brew" should be banned, it's likened to a parasite sit's on the brain and turns its drinkers into work shy, lazy, aggressive scumbags.
Posted by: Iommi Sep 28 2010, 02:47 PM
I'm happy to pay this small subsidy so that people are kept in a dazed state, preventing them from becoming competition for me in the employment market!
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