Square where people have been living in tents blighted by ‘drugs and defecation’

A historic square where people have been living in tents has been blighted with drug taking and public defecation, according to concerned residents and businesses.

Regency Square in Brighton has become an alleged flashpoint for antisocial behaviour, with neighbours describing an environment that has left some feeling too frightened to walk home at night.

The most recent incident involved a “large” tent which was erected in the square for around two weeks.

The tent has since been removed this week, but it has reignited ongoing concerns about antisocial behaviour associated with tents in the square.

“Most recently, there was one large tent. But with that came about ten people,” said one resident.

“This square is meant for people to enjoy themselves, and nobody minds people having a good time. But right now, it’s not safe when they’re here.

“If you’re on your own, it’s not safe – there’s no doubt about that.”

Two community support police officers visited the tent on April 17 (Image: Regency Squares Community)

The resident added that they had personally avoided parts of the square after dark.

“I have felt frightened at times,” they said.

“Especially at night, it can feel like a no-go area. People should feel safe where they live.”

While sympathetic to those sleeping rough, the resident said the persistent behaviour of people in the tents – rather than the presence of homeless people – was the core issue.

They said: “I understand that they need somewhere to be, as we all do. But it’s the way they behave when they are here, when they litter and trash the place.

“And there are public loos down on the seafront. They don’t have to use the bushes.”

The problem is not limited to residents. An employee at one of the square’s many hotels described witnessing open drug use and dealing in the past.

They said: “It’s a recurring issue. A tent pops up, there’s drug use, and then they get moved on. But it’s just one after another. It’s just so blatant out there.

“And they smoke in our fire escape alley — and p*** and s*** in there as well. I had to remove a human s*** once — that was fun.”

The owner of a hotel in the square warned that the problem was damaging Brighton’s reputation with visitors.

“It’s a shame for tourists, when this is their first view of Brighton,” he said. “It’s not good for tourism.

“I’ve known people come to Brighton and think it’s all a bit rough and tired. Why would they want to come back?

“I’ve been here for 20 years, so I’m a bit jaded to it. But if you’re coming from squeaky clean Germany, it’s all a bit shocking.”

Regency Square has often been blighted by anti-social behaviour, residents say (Image: Wikimedia)

Two community support police officers (PCSOs) visited the tent on April 17. According to an email to the Regency Squares Community neighbourhood group from ward councillor Alison Thomson, the officers reported finding only one “relatively harmless” occupant.

The email quoted the officers as saying: “There was only one tent, and although we believe two people are sleeping in it, only one was there. He was told that the tent needs to go as soon as possible.

“Additionally, there were a couple of people sitting and having a drink – but they were not causing any issues at all and we saw nothing of concern on this occasion. We did not see any drug paraphernalia during this visit.”

The response frustrated the hotel employee we spoke to, who said this did not reflect the reality of what happens in the square on a daily basis.

They said: “You could stand here for an hour and watch drug use and drug dealing happening openly.

“So the fact that community support officers turned up for five minutes, spoke to a few people having a drink on a bench, and then claimed nothing was going on was ridiculous.”

A motorhome previously appeared on Regency Square (Image: Ramy Abou-Setta / The Argus)

The Regency Squares Community held two meetings this week to discuss the situation.

The organisation said the meetings were primarily to discuss “the recent events of the tent in the square and the increased anti-social behaviour that it brought with it and how we might be able to manage this more effectively next time”.

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Inspector Dave Palmer of Sussex Police said: “Regency Square is one of several green spaces within the ward which attract people to meet and socialise, especially now that the weather is becoming nicer.

“The local PCSOs for the area spend several hours of their duty time within the area and engage with local businesses, residents and members of the public.

“However they are also resources for the city and operational requirements will, from time to time, pull them from their areas.

“The PCSOs are well aware of the problems reported and will actively deal with antisocial behaviour.

“Sadly, they cannot be in all the places all the time and this is why reporting from the community is so important so that they can direct their patrols to be most effective.

“We will continue to work with the local authority in the removal of tents when appropriate.

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