Police officers have pledged to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the town centre – after one trader was cornered inside their own store.
Sergeant Claire Greenaway, the officer in charge of policing in the town centre, said officers would be ensuring instances of drunkenness, rowdiness and begging were clamped down on during the summer months.
An incident last Wednesday (May 7) saw an unnamed trader forced to call security after a man moved towards the till in search for money.
The business owner said there had been incidents at the store around once a month for the past year, including gangs of youths, drug addicts and alcohol-fuelled men walking into the store and being abusive and threatening.
The trader said: “A man came in last week and moved towards me at the till – I quickly phoned security but he was full of abuse and was shouting. Two months ago I had problems with a group of girls coming in.
“A lot of it is verbal abuse. The police do a great job, but it’s really not good for traders and it’s very intimidating.”
Sergeant Greenaway, the officer in charge of policing in Shrewsbury town centre, said: “My aim is to enable shoppers and visitors to go about their business without interference from anyone acting in an anti-social manner.”
Peter Nutting, leader of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and a trader, said: “There’s definitely been an increase in anti-social behaviour from the vagrants around the town. I have asked the town centre warden and community support officers to look into the matter and they are being very active in doing so.”
Anyone who witnesses any form of anti- social behaviour is urged to contact West Mercia Police on 08457 444888.