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Video: Call for action after Millfield resident’s ‘drugs film’ in children’s play area
A CALL for police action at a well-known crime hotspot in Millfield, Peterborough has been made after an angry resident filmed three men taking drugs openly in a children’s play area.
The men were filmed by an anonymous passer-by with a Sony Handycam passing around what appears to be a makeshift ‘bong’ inside the multi-use games area in Century Square, Millfield, in broad daylight.
Now the video, which last just 30 seconds, has been handed over to the police for further investigation.
The problems with crime and anti-social behaviour in the area have been highlighted repeatedly by residents over the last 18 months, with many wanting to see CCTV cameras installed to crack down on drug-takers, dealers and anti-social behaviour.
The video has prompted a call to police chiefs from shocked Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson for urgent action to be taken to address the problems blighting the open space in Century Square.
He said: “I found the brazen behaviour of the miscreants shocking as well as depressing, particularly due to the proximity of children’s play equipment and the elderly persons’ Extracare facility.
“I want to be reassured that the police will identify and take punitive action against these criminals as a matter of urgency and take the strongest action to ensure no further repetition in this area.”
The cameraman forwarded the video to Park Ward councillor John Peach, who recently ensured that anti-social behaviour in and around Century Square was flagged up as a priority for police action. He said: “I was very shocked to see this drug-taking activity taking place in such an open and blatant way, particularly considering it’s near a children’s play area and in full view of residential houses.
“There is no doubt too, that much more serious crime is going on in the area and it needs to be stamped out.”
Peterborough police say they are well aware of the problems in Century Square and have appealed for information about those committing crimes in the area.
They say much of their focus on improvement has been aimed at young people, with gangs and groups of youths causing anti-social behaviour historically a problem in Century Square.
Sector inspector Dominic Glazebrook said: “We take anti-social behaviour, including drug use, very seriously and I would encourage anyone who has any information about such criminality to call police.
“We are working with Young People’s Services to try to engage with young people in the area and provide facilities for them, such as football and classes.”
Peterborough City Council said that as part of Operation CAN-do, its focus on regenerating central areas of Peterborough, though specifically Millfield, it is working with youth teams in the area to engage young people.
A spokesman for the council said: “The Operation CAN-do neighbourhood delivery team are aware of the current issues and concerns at Century Square.
“We are working with the local community to ensure provisions are in place.
“Youth workers are currently in Century Square on Wednesdays. They have been working with young people to set up an art project and there are dance and football sessions for youngsters too.”
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Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
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