Unacceptable behaviour not welcome on Plymouth Barbican
Don’t come to the Barbican if you can’t behave - that’s the message from Devon and Cornwall Police and Plymouth City Council.
Both organisations are working to make sure the Barbican is a safe and comfortable place to be, but they are worried about unacceptable behaviour creeping in as the temperature goes up.
As the lockdown further eases, more people have been flocking to Plymouth’s favourite spot. But with social distancing very much still in place and many pubs not open, there are worries about crowds gathering, leaving litter and worse.
To help keep the Barbican cleaner:
Six toilets opposite the Tourist Information Centre will be open and they will be free.
Elphinstone car park toilets will reopen and will be free. (They are further up Madeira Road)
Six temporary toilets will be installed on the Hoe next to the café
Councillor Pete Smith, deputy leader of the Council said: “Drinking on the Barbican is a Plymouth tradition. But things are not yet back to normal.
“Many pubs are still closed. Those that are open are only doing take-away. They do not have toilet facilities. Businesses have been doing an amazing job to make sure the right safety measures are in place - it is up to the public to play their part.
“If you are old enough to drink, you are old enough to think about your actions - don’t spoil it for everyone else.”
The council’s licensing team has been liaising with businesses to make sure they understand the measures that need to be taken.
Extra bins and collections will take place and the city’s youth team will be out and about talking to young people.
A significant visible police presence has been deployed to the Barbican area today, 26 June, to deter the gathering of large groups and prevent a repeat of yesterday’s large-scale anti-social behaviour and littering.
Police officers were also pelted with coins and other objects while administering first aid to an injured person.
Superintendent Roy Linden, Head of Local Policing and Partnerships in Plymouth, said: “The Barbican is a residential area and antisocial behaviour, including urinating in the street, will not be tolerated and those responsible should expect to be prosecuted.
“Officers being assaulted in the execution of their duties, particularly while administering first aid to someone who is injured is also clearly unacceptable.
“We are reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses in order to identify those responsible, and we will actively pursue them through the criminal justice process.
“The waterfront in Plymouth is one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks and we are working closely with our partners, including Plymouth City Council, licensees and local communities to ensure that people can continue to enjoy this incredible area in a safe and responsible way, particularly with further easing of lockdown measures being introduced on 4 July."
--- Note to readers: This message has been disseminated by Devon and Cornwall Police - please visit their official website for further information.