Anti-social behaviour concerns near city arts venue

The manager of an arts venue has raised concerns about the levels of anti-social behaviour in the grounds surrounding his premises.

Alan Denyer runs the LTB Showrooms in Priory Place, Coventry that backs on to a garden created after the excavation of the city's first cathedral.

However, six glass display cases that contain artefacts unearthed during the archaeological investigations, have had to be boarded up after the glass in them was smashed.

"I don't know what it is, it's drunks, drug-taking individuals who are making it very difficult to enjoy the city centre with their behaviour and activity," he said. The city council said it took cases of anti-social behaviour seriously.

The cases were damaged at some point in the middle of last month and have now been boarded over to protect the contents.

Denyer said the vandalism, along with other displays of anti-social behaviour, puts people off from visiting the city.

"We're trying to provide some positive custodianship of a space," he said.

"It feels a bit unloved and forlorn at the moment which is a real shame as it's a hidden gem.

"I've seen people walk towards the bridge, stop, look down and see the kind of individuals hanging out there and think, 'Err, no, this isn't for me',".

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering the city centre was imposed in 2023 and is due to be updated and renewed later this year, but the area around the LTB Showrooms and the Priory nave gardens sit just outside the protected zone.

It is not just vandalism Denyer says he has witnessed.

"We are trying our best to put on events and make it something that people can enjoy, but the level of anti-social behaviour that you see around there, people openly using the alleyways and side streets as a public toilet.

"It's not good."

Speaking to the BBC on 29 July, after announcing an extra 300 police officers for the force, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said he took reports of anti-social behaviour and drug dealing seriously.

"I'm not remotely complacent about that because one victim of crime is one too many and certainly people living in fear is completely unacceptable," he said.

"And that is why, as police and crime commissioner, I am committed to constant and unremitting action to make sure that we prevent and tackle crime and keep people and communities safe and secure."

The council was aware of anti-social behaviour in parts of Coventry and was working with West Midlands Police to identify issues early and stop them getting worse, Kenny Bell, from the council, said.

He added they were looking to recruit more community safety wardens who worked to support police officers.

"Their presence aims to reassure residents and support our efforts to keep Coventry safe," he added.

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