Anti-social behaviour injunction served on Gloucester man

A 34-year-old man from Gloucester has been served with a civil injunction order for persistent anti-social behaviour in the town.

Matthew Pettit, of Painswick Road, was served with a civil anti-social behaviour injunction (ASBI) on Thursday 6 August at Cheltenham and Gloucester County Court.

The case was brought against Pettit by Project Solace, a joint team of officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council.

It followed numerous reports to police from members of public, City Protection officers and businesses in Gloucester city centre that Pettit was persistently begging for money and drinking in an alcohol free zone. This would often lead to Pettit becoming abusive or intoxicated to the point where he was unconscious. This is despite him being in suitable accommodation for a number of years with access to all relevant support agencies.

The civil injunction order imposed by the courts forbids Pettit from:

1. Entering the exclusion zone at any time;
2. Being in possession of an open vessel and or can of alcohol in a public place within the city of Gloucester save for within licensed premises including any garden attached to such premises;
3. Approaching any member of the public for money within the city of Gloucester which is not his own money or money he has a legal right to request.

The order will remain in place until 4pm on 6 August 2021.

Solace officer Sam Higginson said: “Whilst we always try and engage and support people to deter them from negative behaviour, we will not tolerate persistent harassment and abuse directed towards members of public and emergency services.

“Matthew has been begging and street drinking in Gloucester for a number of years now and has been signposted to support services at every opportunity, which he has ignored. He has been given numerous warnings which he continues to ignore. Matthew has suitable accommodation and access to relevant benefits, there is no need for him to beg and I strongly believe he does so to fund his substance misuse which members of public should not have to fund.”

PCSO Adam Stevens, from Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: "We work closely with our colleagues from Project Solace, Gloucester City Safe and the City Protection Officers to help those in genuine need of assistance to find housing and/or support.

“We will take appropriate action against anyone who tries to trick members of the public into giving money under false pretences."

Steve Lindsay, from Gloucester City Safe, said: "Matthew Pettit has been carrying on his begging activities in the city for well over two years now, and this constitutes a public nuisance. The partnership work of the local neighbourhood policing team and Solace has been fantastic in obtaining this injunction, which would prohibit begging within a defined area. It has been quite clear that Pettit has refused any offers of help by agencies, as even when housed and receiving benefits, he continued to cause issues to local businesses whilst harassing members of the public."

Anyone witnessing Pettit breaching his ASBI should contact police on 101 or the Project Solace team on 01452 396396.