Colchester car park barrier stunting anti-social behaviour

The barrier was installed at St Mary’s car park in June and operates at night in a bid to deter ASB.

CCTV was also put in place, with both helping enforce where there are "incidents of vehicle nuisance" and to "secure the premises from entry after 10pm overnight on Friday and Saturday evenings".

Residents had previously been "threatened" and "verbally abused" with numerous complaints being made.

However, council documents now say both the automated barrier and CCTV have had a "positive impact" on ASB reports relating to vehicle nuisance, with "very few reports" requiring enforcement received to the ASB.

Barrier - the new barrier was put in place to tackle anti-social behaviour issues (Image: Credited)

The Gazette spoke with residents in Crowhurst Road, which is directly behind the car park, who agreed the situation has gotten better.

Retired BT engineer Bill Willis said: “I think it has improved to be honest but haven't been here that much myself lately.

“It has certainly been a problem in the past, with racing around the car park, burning up their tyres.

“This seems like a good idea and people don’t need to be in there at that time of night.”

Simon Abbott, who works at the University of London, said: “We don't notice it now, but I do remember when it was worse, so I guess there has been some change.

“You don't really notice the behaviour and I can’t really see any negatives of putting the barrier in place.”

St Mary’s Residents Association secretary Emma Dell spoke of the antisocial behaviour residents have faced and said she is "cautious" of the situation.

Sceptical - Emma Dell stands in front of the new barrier (Image: Credited)

She said: “It’s had a positive effect, but it has taken a long time and fighting for us to get this far. Overall, I’m pleased but at the same time cautious.

“In the past we've had residents, who have been in this car park in the evening, and they have been threatened, verbally abused and been told ‘we know where you live’.

“The incidents we now have is when people drive up the exit, so that’s how they get away with it.

“It’s not just the barrier but also the CCTV. It got to an extreme level and there have been ten incidents this year.

“If the council take their eye off the ball, it will start to get bad again.”

Entrance - St Mary's car park is used by many city goers (Image: Credited)

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: "This year, including before the new barrier was installed at St Mary's carpark, we have seen minimal reports of antisocial behaviour, with a further drop in antisocial behaviour after installing CCTV and issuing fines for vehicle antisocial behaviour.

“Since the installation of the new barrier, the council have received no reports of similar vehicle antisocial behaviour, which is a promising show of effectiveness of the barrier.

"This does not mean our fight against antisocial behaviour is over, though, as it has multiple forms.

"CCTV in the car park, multi-agency patrols and the public space protection order in the area, which assists in issuing fines, are all effective measures in reducing antisocial behaviour, as well as clamping down on those taking part in antisocial activities.

“Vehicle antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated, and fines will be issued for meeting in groups, misusing council car parks, revving engines, playing loud music at unsociable hours or causing other nuisances."