DETERMINED residents are backing our We’ve Had Enough campaign to rid Spalding town centre of drunken and anti-social behaviour.
People are eagerly sending back the forms printed in Tuesday’s Free Press to support the campaign led by John Hayes, South Holland and The Deepings MP.
Mr Hayes has come up with a five-point plan in response to growing anger about the sale of cheap alcohol in town centre shops, rowdy behaviour, drug talking and urinating in public.
The plan includes a police crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Spalding town centre and stronger enforcement of the drinking ban brought in by South Holland District Council in December 2009.
Mr Hayes also wants closer monitoring of shops selling alcohol and action on litter and graffiti problems.
The plan has particularly gone down well with residents living on or near Abbey Path which has become a hive of drinking and drug taking in recent months.
Jayne (64) and Len Young (79), of Abbey Path, said: “We’re grateful that Mr Hayes, the Guardian and Free Press have got on board and we’ll definitely be filling in the form and sending it back.
“We agree with Mr Hayes because there are too many town centre shops selling alcohol and if he can make a difference, that will be good.”
Emma Peake, of Daisies Florists in The Crescent, said: “I think what John Hayes is doing is brilliant because he’s a recognisable name and people will look up to him for doing this.
“Spalding is a nice market town but it’s being tarnished by anti-social behaviour and for those poor people living on Abbey Path, it’s awful.”
Schoolteacher and mother-of-two Christine Krawczak (49) has witnessed drug dealing, drug taking and assault since moving to a house near Abbey Path 16 months ago.
She said: “I’m just relieved that finally something is being done here and some action is being taken.
“I’ve seen drug taking, people pulling up in cars selling drugs and a week ago, I saw someone squatting down and taking a toilet break in Abbey Path.
“This is a social issue and some of these people need a lot of help and community support for drug and alochol addiction.”
If you want to back Mr Hayes’ plea, fill in the form printed below and send it to: “We’ve Had Enough”, Lincolnshire Free Press, Priory House, The Crescent, Spalding, or pop it into our offices