Car park barrier fitted to curb driver behaviour

A lockable barrier has been installed at a car park in Hessle after reports of drivers meeting there, playing loud music and littering.

Drivers have been congregating in the mill car park on Hessle Foreshore in the evenings, sounding their horns, playing music and leaving rubbish behind, East Riding of Yorkshire Council said.

Humberside Police said a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) had been put in place to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the area.

Neighbourhood Policing Insp Matt Wilson said: "Anti-social behaviour in any form is unacceptable and we'll continue to use every tool at our disposal to disrupt those who choose to disrupt our communities."

The car park already had a barrier, but it was not locked. Following a successful trial that saw reports of ASB fall after the barrier was locked, the East Riding Community Safety Partnership agreed to fund a permanent automated barrier.

Hessle Ward councillor John Bovill said: "There's been a bit of problem for quite some time now regarding anti-social behaviour in the mill car park."

He added: "We've had people with high-powered cars driving around there doing doughnuts and revving their engines."

Bovill said he had "very high hopes" the new barrier would "finally solve this problem".

Bovill said the barrier would be closed overnight, but the exact timings were yet to be confirmed.

In addition to the PSPO, Wilson said Humberside Police had taken "proactive action" in the area, resulting in uninsured vehicles being seized, fixed penalty notices being issued, and speed checks, breath tests and vehicle searches being carried out.

"We understand the impact that vehicle-related nuisance can have on the community and we are committed to ensuring areas like Hessle Foreshore remain safe and welcoming for everyone," he said.

Wilson encouraged anyone experiencing or witnessing ASB to report it to the police.

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