Calls to Make Rhosddu Park ‘Alcohol Free Zone’

Calls have been made to make a Wrexham park an ‘alcohol free zone’ following concerns that anti social behaviour is preventing children from playing in the area.

Over recent weeks there have been a number of complaints online regarding the misuse of Rhosddu park, with reports of anti social behaviour and alcohol abuse.

This has resulted in putting both parents and their children from taking their children to the park.

The issue is one that has been ongoing for a while, with Nathalie Price tweeting Wrexham.com last week to say: “Totally disgusted that a large group of drug addicts are allowed to congregate at the park in Rhosddu @wrexham drinking!”

Anti social behaviour in the park was also raised by Andy during a recent Wrexham.com web chat with Inspector Paul Wycherley and Sergeant Simon Kneale; who asked: “What more is being done to prevent the use of Heroin in our children’s playgrounds & the used needles left behind, such as in Rhosddu?”

In response Inspector Wycherley said: “Needles left in playgrounds is not acceptable – I am really concerned to hear about this. Wrexham County Borough Council’s Streetscene (part of the environmental department) regularly attend areas where these items are discarded and collect them. So if see any – anywhere – please let them know.

“In reality we are intelligence driven, so if anyone has intelligence or information on known dealers please let us know on 101 or, in total confidence, via crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Every piece of intelligence received regarding drug abuse in this area is seen by Sergeant Simon Kneale or myself and either acted upon immediately, or developed for a future operation.”

Earlier this week the issue was raised again during a Twitter Question and Answer session with Leader of Wrexham Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard.

During the Q&A Rhian Cartwright tweeted to say ‘passing Rhosddu park yesterday, not one child in there, just alcoholics’ while Simon Johnson added ‘Could Rhosddu park be made an alcohol free zone? Kids can’t use it as it is’.

In response Cllr Pritchard said: “In my opinion it should be an alcohol free park as should all parks within Wrexham.”

Yesterday Wrexham.com queried what is currently being done by Wrexham Council to reduce the anti social behaviour in Rhosddu Park.

Councillor David A. Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport: “The council is committed to working with its partners in reducing anti-social behaviour in all of its county borough parks.”

*Picture – Google