STREET drinking and antisocial behaviour outside a bank in Reading's town centre has left shopworkers and shoppers often feeling 'intimidated' and 'unsafe'.
The Metro Bank, situated on the crossroads of Broad Street and St Mary’s Butts is a busy spot for people waiting for buses, as well as shoppers around the Broad Street Mall.
As such, the ledge outside the town centre bank has become a hotspot for groups of people who can be seen drinking through the day and are often spotted engaging in aggressive or antisocial behaviour.
Ms Jaswwoer Kaur, whose family owns nearby Davina's newsagents, said that she has experienced and witnessed violent behaviour whilst inside the store.
Ms Kaur said: “It’s very scary. There are people sitting there from morning until into the evening, drinking and sometimes fighting with each other and members of the public.
“It’s very worrying when I’m here on my own or with my sister because they come into the shop at times and shoplift alcohol."
The shopworker said there is a need for more police in the town centre, 'especially in this area'. The family-run business also reported seeing a 50 to 70 per cent increase in shoplifting over the past year.
Ms Kaur added: "We have also noticed that the people sitting by the bank drinking are intimidating people waiting for the bus at the bus stop.”
Longstanding town centre shop Davina's wasn't the only nearby business to report a rise in shoplifting, as well as the noticeable antisocial behaviour in the area and throughout the town centre.
Tara, a JD Sports employee who commutes from Basingstoke every day, described experiencing a scary encounter with a homeless person in Reading that left her feeling hesitant to walk further into the town than necessary, particularly in the winter months.
She said: "I won't walk down near the Metro Bank because I have heard of a few fights down there.
"There are a lot more homeless people out and about in the town begging, and even coming into the store and we often see them walking off the direction of the Metro Bank."
A violent incident was reported to police in St Mary's Butts this month with onlookers being forced to step in. The incident occurred on Sunday, September 1 at around 2:39pm where a 24-year-old was arrested for aggressive behaviour towards members of the public at the bus stop.
One witness, who lives in Central Reading and often uses the buses at St Mary's Butts, said: "A few times I've seen [groups of people that sit outside the Metro bank] shouting at passers-by, but never anything physical.
"On Sunday (September 1), I witnessed a young guy who was sitting with the group walk past a random guy who was drinking a coffee. The young guy took the coffee and threw it into his face and walked off as if nothing happened.
"The poor guy was shaking in shock. My girlfriend went to console him and I walked off to confront the young guy. As I was doing so, he hit another random man and squared up to him wanting to fight. The second victim was also shocked, but walked away to avoid any violence.
"I stood at a little distance and watched the young guy and he was trying to start another fight. He eventually walked back over to the metro bank and sat with the group."
Businesses and shoppers alike have called for a greater police presence in the town centre in response to rising shoplifting and antisocial behaviour.
A Metro Bank spokesperson said: “We are aware of the concerns around anti-social behaviour and are currently working with the Council on how to deter people from sitting on the premises.”
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