Gates to close at dusk in Upminster car park following anti social behaviour.

Upminster playing field and the New Windmill Hall car park will soon have their gates shut after dusk.

The gates will be closed as from the Wednesday 23rd of September on a trial period following reports from the police of anti social behaviour.

Councillor Sally Miller who is the Chair of the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee has been working with Upminster police in a bid to stop drug dealing and other anti social behaviour in the area.

Councillor Miller told the Havering Daily: “The local police sergeant approached me in regards to both the Upminster playing field and the New Windmill Hall car park where drug dealers have been using the areas to sell drugs.

“I visited the area in late August and saw evidence of this myself with left over cannabis packets dropped on the ground there. Police also undertook regular stop and search in the area to help prevent this anti social behaviour.”

Councillor Miller then approached council officers to see if the gates to the car park and playing field could be closed to prevent them being used for illegal behaviour. Council officers agreed and as from tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd of September the gates will be shut at dusk.

“There will be signs going up on the gates to let locals using these facilities know that the gates will be shut after a certain time. This will be done on a trial period for the moment.”

Councillor Miller who works closely with the police in Havering finished: “Anything I can do to help the police I will. It is important that we work as a community.”