Council encourage street drinkers

A man passed out on the pavement outside flats on Glossop Road, Sheffield city centre. Residents claim people getting drunk and high on drugs are ruining the area as plans for a third off-licence goes to Sheffield Council planning committee - Photo: Sheffield City Centre Residents' Action Group

This area could be a vibrant contribution to the Sheffield night scene , but instead it is in danger of becoming a no-go area due to the street drinkers and beggars who are aggressive, rude, and don’t have any respect for themselves or anyone else .

On the Spring bank holiday Monday my son, who lives in Manchester came to visit me, and we went for a drink in that area .

We ended up on West Street looking for somewhere to eat. We had just walked past the Tesco store when one of the street drinkers, a one-legged man in a wheelchair, literally ran into the back of us. We turned around wondering what was happening and he screamed at us to get out of the way.

My son asked why he was being so rude and aggressive and his response was to offer to fight him.

By now a group of his friends had gathered, so my son and I made our retreat.

We can’t be the only ones who have had an experience like this. It’s well documented how bad the problem is but the council catering to the street drinkers could put the other businesses, the ones who cater to responsible drinkers, at risk .

I have often seen the police drive past the activities of the street drinkers.

I thought a law had been passed allowing the police to confiscate any alcohol from people drinking on the street .

Once again it shows the council do not listen to the people they are supposed to represent, the residents – businesses, the customers are all pushed aside to cater to the street drinkers .

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