Fears that anti-social behaviour has been “normalised” including thefts, drug taking and criminal damage

It comes as Portsmouth City Councillors and residents shared their experiences of anti-social behaviour in Albert Road, Palmerston Road and Waverley Gardens during a full meeting where members discussed a motion to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime in the city.

Three local residents spoke on the motion, including Chris Adeniran, the son of Charles Dickens ward councillor Yinka Adeniran. He said that ASB has become “so frequent” it’s started to become “normalised”, whether its “minis motorised bikes” or the “strong smell of drug use” or “loud threatening disagreements”.

He recalled an incident in which a man physically assaulted him on Commercial Road in the city centre, leaving him with a broken nose and cracked teeth.

Shortly afterwards, his car window was smashed and around £4,000 of items were stolen. Both incidents were reported to the police but were “concluded quickly, almost giving the impression there was little point in reporting them at all”.

Another resident, Jim Kynvin, spoke of his experience living close to Waverley Gardens in Southsea, which sees regular ASB during the warmer months. He argued it is caused by a high density of supported housing for active or recovering addicts in the area and that without fundamental change, the issue will persist.

Patrick Keefe, former Royal Navy commander, said: “This is a complex, cyclical multi agency challenge and those with addiction may deserve some sympathy and further assistance however this has to be balanced against the experience of permanent residents feeling less able to enjoy their amenities.”

Cllr Charlotte Gerada, who tabled the motion, said that despite the council’s own ASB report showing a decrease in incidents, many go unreported.

She highlighted concerns surrounding Creatiques Bridal Boutique on Albert Road, which has been the victim of persistent and “intense” levels of ASB and crime despite the co-owners being “very kind” and “community minded”, often carrying out local fundraising initiatives for “worthy causes”.

She also pointed to other issues on Albert Road, including damage to Ofbeet Café and Actually Merlin Vintage, which had their windows smashed. Other concerns included drug dealing and drug use near the Bored of Southsea store, where scaffolding has been attracting ASB.

On Palmerston Road, there have been numerous incidents of vandalism and shoplifting, including at the Farm Kitchen café, which had its windows smashed in July this year.

Cllr Mary Vallely submitted an amendment asking the scrutiny management panel to review the current ASB strategy, while Cllr Steve Pitt submitted an amendment allowing him to write to an appropriate minister for additional funding.

Cllr Nick Dorrington objected to drug addicts in supported housing being blamed for ASB, stating that he knows what it’s like “to be criminalised” for having addiction issues and that he believes supported housing is a solution for many people struggling with alcohol and substance abuse.

Cllr Asghar Shah reflected on an incident in which he was verbally abused by a member of the public, with his son present, on Cosham High Street. He questioned how he could encourage ward residents to report ASB and crime when police were unable to investigate his own incident due to a lack of CCTV.

“I want to see things getting better, I don’t want to hear everything is fine and please don’t be upset.

He argued the situation for people of colour in his community is “so bad” adding “the majority of you may not feel it but I do feel it.”

The motion was passed unanimously with both amendments subsumed. A full progress report will be brought to full council within a year, outlining measurable outcomes and next steps.