Anti-social behaviour 'no longer a significant issue' in Freeman Street

Anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related crime is no longer a significant issue in Freeman Street , data suggests. The council is considering a change in the Freeman Street, Grimsby , area because of the data from three years worth of Humberside Police crime logs. The street is currently subject to a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) policy, which essentially means a tougher business licence process for new premises that could increase the anti-social behaviour or alcohol-linked crime in an area.

The crime logs were analysed for areas where there was potential for a special policy based on number and type of licensed premises present. The Freeman Street and East Marsh CIA area accounted for only four per cent of all alcohol-related crime reports. East Marsh Ward councillors do not want the CIA scrapped, however.



They believe it would reverse years of progress on improving public safety. A council spokesperson has reiterated there will be a public consultation in the near future. "If alcohol-related crime and anti social behaviour has reduced, that shows the policy is working," said Cllr Loyd Emmerson (Liberal Democrat - East Marsh).

"The council’s role should be to strengthen protections for areas like East Marsh, not weaken them. Without the Cumulative Impact Area policy, there’s a real risk of an increase in alcohol-related crime, antisocial behaviour, and further pressure on emergency services." The council is suggesting the removal of the Freeman Street CIA because of insufficient data to support the need for it anymore.

A separate CIA zone, covering Cleethorpes, is proposed to be extended. A quarter of all alcohol-related crime reports in the last three years came in this area. Freeman Street's CIA dates back to 2010 after a request from Humberside Police and East Marsh Ward Cllr Steve Beasant (Lib Dem).

"Freeman Street and East Marsh need support to combat crime and anti social behaviour, not decisions that could make the situation worse," said Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe (Lib Dem - East Marsh). Read More: Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from Grimsby with our free newsletter She called for more protections besides the CIA. "That means closer scrutiny of alcohol licence renewals, higher standards for businesses operating in areas with known social challenges like Freeman Street, and a commitment to working with police and public health officials to ensure that licensing decisions align with broader efforts to reduce crime and improve quality of life.

" The councillors cited as evidence greater protections are needed in the area a February operation led by Trading Standards and Humberside Police. This resulted in the seizure of approximately 90,000 illegal cigarettes and vapes . A North East Lincolnshire Council spokesperson said: "This current recommendation to remove the Cumulative Impact Area is based on the data collated at this time indicating that there has not been a significant issue with alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour in the geographical area.

The public consultation, taking place in the near future, provides opportunity for wider concerns and feedback to be taken into consideration ahead of any final decision being made." "Cumulative Impact Areas (CIAs) are in place to deal with the cumulative impact of licensed premises." They come in when the licensing authority is satisfied the number and type of licensed premises in an area will have an impact on licensing objectives, particularly crime and disorder.

"In CIAs, there is a presumption that the licensing authority will refuse or impose limitations on relevant applications which are likely to add to the cumulative impact, unless the applicant can demonstrate that there will be no negative cumulative impact on the licensing objectives. To be clear, this does not mean applications cannot be made or will automatically be refused." Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp - all you need to do is click the link .

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