Over 60 residents from the Inner Avenue area of Southampton joined Satvir Kaur MP for a meeting on Saturday, to address an escalating problem with drug related crime and anti-social behaviour on Southcliff Road and in the surrounding area. The meeting was organised in response to a petition handed to the MP by over 50 local residents calling for urgent action to tackle the issue.
The meeting brought residents together with a panel of decision makers and community leaders. Chaired by the MP, the panel included Councillor Toqeer Kataria, Bevois Ward Councillor and Cabinet member for Communities and Safety, senior service managers from Southampton City Council, the police, and the Director of Youth Services at the YMCA, along with the local resident who led the community petition. Councillor Jacqui Rayment and Councillor Paul Kenny, also Bevois Ward councillors, were in attendance too.
During the discussion, residents shared distressing experiences regarding visible drug taking on residential streets, the discarding of drug paraphernalia on pavements and in communal areas, and repeated incidents of shouting, intimidation, and abusive behaviour.
A major focus of the meeting was agreeing actions to improve the situation. These included setting up a residents’ association in Inner Avenue, increasing reporting of problems to both the Council and the Police, public realm cleanliness improvements, more CCTV, cutting back vegetation in problem areas, and collectively writing to Donna Jones, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, to make clear the scale of the issue and push for more resource. Satvir will be calling another meeting later in the year to track progress.
Satvir Kaur MP, Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, said:
“As someone that grew up in the area, I know the challenges firsthand. Having received the petition from residents, it is clear the situation has worsened. Hugely upsetting and unacceptable to hear some of the stories, with parents worried that their children have become used to the open drug use happening outside their front door.
“I called this meeting as a first step in working towards a solution, as no single person or organisation can fix the situation. It will take us all – from the Police, to the Council, to those in the community – working together as one.
“It was incredibly heartening to see so many residents turn out, wanting to be part of a solution. I know I’ll be doing all I can to help until local families feel safe again.”
Toqeer Kataria, Ward Councillor and Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety and Leisure, said:
“I will be raising all issues shared by residents with our Safe City partners, so that we can tackle them through a coordinated, holistic approach. I will also be speaking the Police and Crime Commissioner about making the crime reporting process simpler and more consistent. We must also ensure residents continue reporting to both the Police and Council, so that our Safety Team is fully informed and able to take effective joint action.”
James Clark, resident of Southcliff Road and petitioner said:
“I and fellow residents wrote to our MP about the problem, because we want to see real action taken. It was a productive meeting, and I hope the police will now listen to the need and increase resource in the area. I’m glad we’re working together – our local community group now has over 134 members, all determined to ensure that Inner Avenue becomes a safer place for everyone.”