A man has been banned from areas of St Albans and Harpenden under a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) following long-term anti-social behaviour, begging and shoplifting.
Joshua Bozier, aged 33, of no fixed abode, was given the five-year CBO at St Albans Magistrates’ Court last Thursday, August 28.
Harpenden Neighbourhood Sergeant Mark Essam, who worked with his team to secure the CBO, said: “We have tried to help Joshua but he has refused to listen. We informed the St Albans district council’s homeless team, but he was not interested. Instead, he has been begging, shoplifting and being disruptive which has been detrimental to the public working, living or socialising in both Harpenden town centre and St Albans city centre.”
Under the order, he must not:
· Go to specific areas of St Albans city centre or Harpenden town centre.
· Not put himself in a position to beg within the St Albans district.
“Whilst this criminal order is in force, he must comply with the conditions – if he is found in the banned areas, he will be arrested and he could be sent to prison.
“We are grateful for the public who helped provide evidence to support the CBO application and we are once again, asking for their help, to let us know if Bozier breaches the conditions of his CBO.”
Bozier received eight weeks in prison for shoplifting and failing to take a Class A drugs test.
Four Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) and a Community Protection Notice (CPN) were also given to five people last month (August) to help reduce anti-social behaviour and drug issues in St Albans city centre.
The warnings and notice are in force to help address one of the current new local neighbourhood priorities of anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and drug use at St Peter’s Churchyard in St Peter’s Street, which supports the Safer Town Centres campaign.
Three men and a woman from St Albans and Harpenden have been issued with CPWs – a written warning with specific actions to modify their behaviour which is negatively impacting the wider community. If they fails to comply with the conditions of a CPW, they can be issued the more serious CPN. St Albans and Harpenden Neighbourhood Team officers have been working closely with the police’s Community Safety Unit.
1. A 47-year-old man from Harpenden was issued a CPN following anti-social and abusive behaviour, especially when he is drunk. Under the notice, he must:
· Not enter any licensed premises in St Albans district including the Harvester in Harpenden.
· Not be drunk in a public place in the St Albans district.
· Not be rude or abusive to anyone in the St Albans district.
Failure to comply with these conditions is a criminal offence and he may be arrested.
2. A 30-year-old man, of no fixed abode, from the St Albans area was issued with a CPW last Thursday (28 August) for playing loud music whilst intoxicated and possession of cannabis. Under the conditions, he must:
· Not enter St Peter’s Church.
· Not play loud music in a public place, which is likely to annoy other members of the public.
· Not consume alcohol within the PSPO (Public Space and Protection Order) area of the city centre, other than licenced premises.
· Not be abusive or use foul language towards any police officer or police staff.
3. A 35-year-old man, of no fixed abode but from the St Albans area, was issued a CPW for begging and drugs. This was also issued last Thursday and he must:
· Not be intoxicated in the PSPO area in St Albans.
· Not possess a vessel containing alcohol within the PSPO.
· Not be abusive or rude or act in a threatening manner towards anyone.
4. A 19-year-old woman from Harpenden has been given a CPW. She must:
· Not use the road as a pedestrian.
· Not climb, sit or lean against any wall, railing or fence, including bridges or railings, any boundary wall or any multi-storey car park.
· Not be intoxicated within the PSPO.
· Not enter any floor of the Civic Centre car park.
5. A 41-year-old man, of no fixed abode, has also been given a CPW and must not:
· Contact a named person.
· Not enter or occupy any other residential properties without the written permission of the owner.
· Not attend a specific address.
· If in police custody, not use an address you do not reside at.
6. A 35-year-old man from St Albans was given a CPW and must:
· Not consume alcohol in the PSPO area of St Albans.
· Not use abusive or foul language.
· Not enter St Peter’s Church.
Sergeant Mike Saunders, who heads up the community safety unit, said: “We have been working hard with the neighbourhood policing team and other agencies to solve the problem of ASB and drug use at St Peter’s Church.
“These people have been verbally warned about their behaviour and the impact it has on people going about their daily business in our city and town centres, but have chosen not to heed those warnings. Therefore, we have issued four CPWs in the last few weeks and one has escalated to a CPN. Anyone breaching a CPN, which is a criminal offence, could be arrested. We hope these measures reduce anti-social behaviour and street drinking in St Albans and Harpenden and make it a nicer place to live, work and visit for everyone.
“We will, of course, monitor the situation, and we hope it also deters anyone from thinking of behaving in the same manner in our city.”
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