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Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN
Published: 1 June 2007
 
Blitz on the drinkers who bare all in park

Special dispersal order introduced to curb streaking


NAKED street drinkers are terrorising people using a Holloway park.
Up to 25 boozers are stripping off and singing and dancing in Kinloch Park.
Residents have complained that during outdoor drinking sessions, the park is used as a toilet.
Lib Dem councillor Marisha Ray, Islington’s community safety chief, said: “Nobody wants to see drunk adults streaking through their local park. It’s not just unpleasant, it can be intimidating.”
To tackle the problem, a special dispersal order, covering the park and surrounding areas up to Isledon Road, Hornsey Road, Seven Sisters Road, Thane Villas and Berriman Road, will come into effect this month
Under the order, drinkers will face initial fines of up to £500 but if they return could be jailed.
Sergeant Chris Walsh, head of the police’s Finsbury Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “This is a very important piece of legislation that can return the park to the local people of Holloway, which includes street drinkers, but will hopefully curb poor behaviour that has previously happened in the park.”
In the past, police have tried arresting the drinkers, many of whom are homeless, for being drunk and disorderly and using threatening words and behaviour.
Some were cautioned and others given fines, but they still kept coming back to the park.
Cllr Ray added: “It’s been a very difficult time for people living nearby who have had to put up with some appalling behaviour and there’s no excusing it.
“It’s clear some of the drinkers do need help, but we can’t force them to accept the help we offer and we have really tried and will continue to.”
“We worked hand in hand with the police and residents to try to find a long-term solution to this problem. No one can force the drinkers to stop upsetting other residents but we can enforce the order. This should help make the park more pleasant.”

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