Shattered bottles have been piling up on the streets surrounding a Leeds primary school ever since university students returned to the city for their studies, according to a cleaner at the school.
Ann Dutton, 61, has opened up about how “uncomfortable” the shards of glass makes her feel and how “unsuitable” it is for the children who attend. This comes as students have returned in the past month with freshers events thrown across the city.
The University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University insist the “vast majority” of students act responsibly but admit that no resident should have to suffer their cohort’s anti-social behaviour. The universities have formed a partnership to crack down on such behaviour.
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Ann works at Brudenell Primary School, which is situated amid the cobbled and terraced streets on School View in the heart of Hyde Park. The Armley woman has revealed that pupils and parents on the school run have had to stumble through a piles of smashed glass.
Ann said: “The students cause a lot of mess, they leave broken bottles about after they’ve had a few drinks. I usually see them around Hyde Park. I hate seeing rubbish altogether.
“Usually when it gets to Christmas time and summertime when they’re finishing their studies, it gets worse.
“They have quite a few parties in Hyde Park. There’s a lot of kids around here and broken glass is not suitable, it’s not really good for kids. It makes me feel uncomfortable, sometimes I have to avoid the glass.”
Hyde Park resident and mum-of-one Sadia Haeema, 34, lives between two student houses and has said students have dumped all sorts of rubbish in her garden since their return.
Sadia said: “I find beer cans in my garden, people literally put them on the wall next to my gate. There’s a bin right next to it, can they please not use the bin?
“I’ve woken up with bottles in my garden and kebabs, takeaway, desserts. My garden is not a tip! That’s a pain! Especially around summer, that’s when it’s the worst. I’ve got enough on my plate as it is.”
A spokesperson on behalf of the universities’ anti-social behaviour partnership said: “We expect our students to act responsibly, and the vast majority do so, bringing many positive benefits to their communities. But, of course, no residents should have to suffer from anti-social behaviour. When we receive complaints, we investigate and take action against any students that are involved.
“At the same time, response officers are now attending complaints, on average, within half an hour – twice as quickly as last year. In addition, proactive patrols have stopped dozens of potential noise nuisance before they get going.
“While the impact of the new service is encouraging, universities work closely with students to support them to adapt to life and play a positive role in diverse residential communities.” Brudenell Primary School has been asked for a comment.
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