Footpath next to school set to shut over crime fears

Problems with "serious crime and antisocial behaviour" have been reported in the Mount Pleasant footpath

A public footpath described as posing a “serious safeguarding issue" for a Southampton school is set to be fenced off.

City council leaders are planning to introduce a public space protection order (PSPO) prohibiting access to Mount Pleasant footpath, next to Mount Pleasant Junior School.

From 2016 to July 2023 there were 25 offences in the alleyway reported to police, including four rapes and six robberies, a report said.

A similar proposal for a path off Northumberland Road, which would have blocked access to a playground, is in doubt after opposition from residents.

Anyone who breaks the restriction could be given a fixed penalty notice or taken to court, where the maximum penalty is a £1,000 fine

A council report said: “Serious crime and antisocial behaviour is a long-standing issue for both the Mount Pleasant footpath and the Northumberland Road footpath and play area.

“The two local schools have highlighted that these footpaths present a serious safeguarding issue for the two schools and an ongoing risk to the local residents.”

A majority of residents were opposed to closing the Northumberland Road footpath, which would have prevented access to the nearby play area

A statement by a police officer in 2020 said the Mount Pleasant footpath was regularly used by sex workers, and there had been a number of attacks resulting in injuries and a woman being raped.

While 65% of respondents to a council consultation were in favour of the Mount Pleasant order, 71% were against the measure in Northumberland Road.

Northumberland Road and the nearby play area, behind Maytree Infant and Nursery School, also recorded 53 crime reports in the period from 2016-2023, including several sexual offences and robberies.

The cost of fencing off Mount Pleasant footpath is estimated to be £25,000 and should be completed before the end of the year, subject to cabinet approval.