- Published date: 06 June 2016 | Published by: Andrew Cain Read more articles by Andrew Cain
A MINISTER at a Wrexham chapel has renewed his appeal to tackle rough sleepers and drug users near his place of worship.
Gareth Williams, a deacon at Capel y Groes in Wrexham, contacted the Leader earlier this year about the issue, expressing his frustration about the problem and the apparent lack of action to tackle it.
But now Mr Williams has said the problem has persisted despite steps being taken by him and his colleagues to address it.
He said: “We have since spent thousands of pounds on extending our car park and tidying our gardens, together with a new substantial fence between our chapel, Capel y Groes, and council land adjoining the Tesco roundabout.
“However, recently we have had more problems. For quite some time now, several people have been rough camping on this council waste land.
“In itself, that wouldn’t be much of a problem, but their fires have needed visits from the fire service several times. Worse still, they are using our grounds as toilets with faeces deposited in corners around the chapel. This is not fair on our caretaker, who also has had abuse from some of these individuals. They seem to climb over the council-owned wall which in itself is looking worse for wear.
“There is evidence that stones have been removed to hide material, possibly drugs?”
Mr Williams added while he knew there were probably difficulties in moving these people on from the land next to the church, he felt there had been a lack of action from the council regarding the issue.
He said: “I appreciate it may be difficult to remove trespassers from private land, but this is the council's land and they are fouling our gardens and are quite abusive.”
“We’ve had several meetings with the council and related agencies in an attempt to find answers,” he added. “The local councillor, Carole O’Toole, has been very helpful.
“The same can’t be said for council officials who have been dragging their feet far too long on the issue.
“We need some action, and soon before problems escalate. All this is happening very near the centre of Wrexham, the town which we would like to be proud of.”
Mr Williams added: “We have had many meetings with the council over the issue and have spent a lot of money on improving this car park and building a new fence around it, but there is some dispute about the wall here between the church and the land.
“The rough sleepers have been here for about three or four weeks.
“Various people have told us that they are storing drugs in the gaps in the walls. Over the past few months we have had several meetings and the police have sent PCSOs to talk to us; they’ve been helpful.
“Our main worry is they have been using our chapel as a toilet. It’s absolutely disgusting.
“We have children coming here for our Sunday school who use these gardens as a playground.”
Wrexham Council has launched a consultation on a proposed Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the town centre, which takes in the areas extending between Capel y Groes on Powell Road, Eagles Meadow, King Street and Bellevue Park.
The proposed order prohibits behaviour likely to ‘be having, or likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality’ consuming alcohol, loitering, using intoxicating substances, defecating or urinating, and sleeping in the bus station or public toilets will also be covered under the order.
Cllr Hugh Jones, Wrexham Council lead member for communities and partnerships, said: “We have been aware for some time that the levels of anti-social behaviour occurring in the town centre is unacceptable and is of concern to visitors, businesses and residents alike.
“To address this problem we are proposing to use powers given to us under legislation to introduce a PSPO, similar to the one that has been successfully introduced in Rhosddu park and cemetery.
“The order will give authorised officers the right to issue a £100 fine which will deter offences taking place in these areas.
"I will be taking a report to the council's executive board in June for the proposed order and I encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation so we have a wide range of views on the proposals."
l Full details of the order and a map of the affected area can be viewed at www.yourvoicewrexham.net/kms/dmart.aspx
l THE coroner is investigating the “sudden death” of a 34-year-old man found in the wooded area by Capel y Groes Church on Tuesday night.
Police have yet to name the man but his family have been informed.
see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/162877/deacon-at-wrexham-chapel-in-urgent-call-for-action-over-drug-users.aspx
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