Man banned from Gloucester city centre for a year

A man has been banned from Gloucester city centre for year after repeatedly abusing and intimidating people.

Benjamin Ambrose-Buckle, aged 32 and of Worcester Street, Gloucester, has been served with a civil anti-social behaviour injunction (ASBI).

It followed numerous reports to the police from members of the public, City Protection officers (CPO) and businesses in the city centre that Ambrose-Buckle had been entering premises and engaging in theft and anti-social behaviour. He has made threatening comments, behaved aggressively and invaded the space of a CPO. He has also intimidated members of the public on a frequent basis.

The case was brought against Ambrose-Buckle by Solace, a joint team of officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council. The order was made against him on 23 June at Cheltenham and Gloucester County Court.

Solace officer Matt Roberts said: “This sort of behaviour is not acceptable. Ambrose-Buckle has been a recurrent nuisance in the city centre, where he verbally abuses and intimidates the City Protection Officers.

“Our hope is that this order offers some protection for members of the public against Benjamin.”

The civil injunction order imposed by the courts forbids Ambrose-Buckle from:

1. Engaging in conduct which causes or is capable of causing alarm or harassment or distress to any person within the city of Gloucester;
2. Using or threatening to use violence towards any person within the city of Gloucester;
3. Being in a public place with an open bottle or open can or cup or glass containing alcohol in a public place within the city of Gloucester;
4. Entering or being in the area outlined blue on the map at any time.

Breaking any of these conditions could lead to his arrest. The order will run until 22 August 2023.

Gloucester Neighbourhood Police Team Inspector Si Motala said: “This case is a really good example of how we work with our partners including the Local Authority and Gloucester City Safe to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“Ambrose-Buckle has caused persistent issues within Gloucester for residents, shoppers and businesses through anti-social and threatening and intimidating behaviour. This is completely unacceptable.

“I hope this sends a clear message that we will use whatever enforcement powers available to us to combat issues which are causing a negative impact on our community.”

Gloucester City Safe Manager Steve Lindsay said: “Ambrose-Buckle has acted aggressively towards a City Protection Officer, been abusive to members of staff who work in our businesses within the city centre along with committing several thefts. He has received warnings, however he has continued to behave in a way which causes harassment, alarm and distress.

“This injunction not only protects the public and businesses within the city, but also shows that these types of behaviour will not be tolerated, and Solace will deal with persistent offenders.”

Anyone witnessing Ambrose-Buckle breaching his ASBI is asked to contact police or the Solace team on 01452 396396.