Barber tapes off bench after drug-use and sex acts

Rebecca Sutton says her clients are being approached by people on the bench for money

The owner of a Shropshire barbers has taped off a bench outside her shop, because it is regularly being used by people for taking drugs and engaging in sexual activity.

Rebecca Sutton from The Town Barbers in Market Drayton, said people regularly engage in the anti-social behaviour, as well as harassing members of the public.

Ms Sutton took the decision to tape it off, because of the effect she said the behaviour was having on her mental health, and that of her clients.

Shropshire Council, which owns the bench, said it understood the situation was upsetting, and wanted to find a permanent solution by addressing the root cause.

However, it also said the focus should be on anti-social behaviour by the individuals, and not on removing seating, which is for use by the public.

Ms Sutton said she had asked for the bench and two others nearby to be removed, and reported the behaviour to police on more than one occasion.

The council said the focus should be on the individuals' anti-social behaviour not on the bench, which is there for the public to use

"There's four cameras out there, so they can see what's going on," she said.

However, she claimed nothing had been done.

West Mercia Police said it was speaking to business owners, and was working to identify those responsible for the behaviour and investigate any offences committed.

"I just want to work in peace, so does everyone else on the high street," she told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"I'm at that point now where I will close down, because I don't want to deal with it."

'Stick up for the public'

Ms Sutton works with autistic children and vulnerable adults, who she said are often approached for money when they leave the barbers.

"The kids are seeing it," she said.

"I'm doing it to stick up for the public, and myself."

Ms Sutton wants to see more enforcements on drinking and anti-social behaviour in the town.

Market Drayton Town Council said the behaviour is not acceptable, and it was working with local police to reduce anti-social behaviour on High Street.