No police warnings made in Britannia Road, Norwich car park

A Freedom of Information Request made to Norfolk Police revealed that out of 65 warnings issued by officers under the Section 59 Police Reform Act 2002 in the Norwich City Council area between January 2022 and January this year, none were given in Britannia Road.

Cars parked legally in Britannia Road car park in Norwich, where people cannot park overnight after a Norfolk Police temporary order was introduced on January 27 to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area. (Image: Newsquest)

It comes after police temporarily closed Britannia Road car park between 9pm and 5am from January 27 for three months to tackle anti-social behaviour from boy racers, which has caused years of problems for homeowners.

It is hoped the order can be extended to July, according to Labour city and county councillor Mike Sands, chairman of the Mousehold Conservators group which owns the car park.

Norwich neighbourhood Insp Terri Cooper-Barnes (Image: Norfolk Police)

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Norwich neighbourhood inspector, Terri Cooper-Barnes, said: "Officers continue to respond to reports of anti-social behaviour, however, people will stop their activity and engage with officers when they are present, limiting enforcement opportunities.

“The closure order has provided officers with the powers to move groups on from congregating in the car park while educating them on the concerns raised by the community. 

“We acknowledge the closure order is limited to the car park and does not solve issues on the road, however, it is a step in the right direction in helping to reduce this and we continue to use legislation to deal with anti-social behaviour incidents.

“We are continuing to work with the city council to look at all options for a solution to the issues."

City and county councillor Mike Sands, left, on St James Hill Norwich, next to Britannia Road car park in Norwich (Image: Mike Sands)

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Mr Sands hoped police would introduce a permanent public spaces protection order from July to help officers move on anti-social behaviour.

He added officers were using education rather than arrests to tackle the issue and "change attitudes" of people who were creating a nuisance.

Andy Sharpe who lives in Britannia Road, Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

Andy Sharpe, 61, from Britannia Road, and another homeowner from the street, said the car park closure had already reduced anti-social behaviour.