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Increasing fears about violence in Hull city centre

Several incidents this week have again raised the issue of violence in Hull City Centre.

On Monday afternoon, a Hull city centre branch of Greggs felt forced to close temporarily as a result of a member of staff being attacked.  A can of drink was thrown at him whilst he was working at the Jameson Street branch.  The store manager closed the shop for 2 hours as a gang reportedly demanded coffee, and became threatening to the counter staff.

Earlier that same day, Gwyn Williams who ran the bright yellow mobile coffee cart in King Edward Square announced on Twitter that he was ceasing to trade there.  He later spoke to BBC Radio Humberside about his experiences, which include serious threats; being threatened with bleach, acid and rusty nails, and acid; and a personal threat against his partner.

A number of other traders are reported similar experiences.  Much of the violence is thought to be caused by drug and/or alcohol use.

This afternoon, Councillor Mike spoke out on the topic at the full council meeting at the Guildhall.  The cabinet portfolio for neighbourhoods, communities and environment said he was “disgusted” at some of the reported incidents, but felt that he was confident that the antisocial behaviour problems in the city centre will be “eliminated”.

I would encourage all residents and traders to speak to the police and our own neighbourhood enforcement officers in the city centre.  We would all like to see more resources going in for this but the cuts we have seen at this council and elsewhere do have an impact on our ability to do the right thing across the board.

Cllr Thompson said that a multi-agency partnership including the police and the council was continuing to implement short, medium and long-term enforcement policies aimed at tackling the problem; adding that

The work of the partnership is looking to eradicate rather than displace the problem to somewhere else.

Humberside Police say that they have been working with a number of agencies since last summer as part of Operation Ignition.  This is a crackdown on antisocial behaviour in the heart of Hull, with the aim of bringing about positive change in the area.  So far, 400 arrests and 700 dispersal orders have been made.

Hull City Council advise that if anyone experiences anti-social behaviour, it can be reported to them on 300300.

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Mary Vickers moved to North East Lincolnshire in 2010, from the Wiltshire/Hampshire border, to become Urban and Industrial Chaplain NELincs. Made redundant in 2017, she's maintained many of her connections within the business, faith, and other local communities. She's also decided to stay here rather than return to either the south or her husband's native Yorkshire, so that she can continue to enjoy and help promote the positives of NELincs.

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