education

Fresher hell on street ‘taken over’ by vomiting students and all night parties

[ad_1]

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Students have turned a neighbourhood into an all-night party zone for freshers’ week, according to fed-up locals.

Residents say they ‘dread’ the return of the academic year when hundreds of excited university students fill up the houses in Holyland, Belfast.

Brid Ruddy has been living in the area for 30 years and says locals are being ‘tortured morning, noon and night’ by the raucous behaviour.

Another local, who wished to remain anonymous, said she woke up at 8.30am to students ‘projectile vomiting’ across the road and blasting out music on boom boxes.

In worrying footage taken by a neighbour, a worse for wear student was seen stumbling barefoot along a road in his boxers.

Ms Ruddy said both Belfast City Council and Queen’s University have failed to tackle the problem, leaving many people with little choice but to leave the area for good.

Students seen partying in the street as neighbours wake up

She told Metro.co.uk: ‘The students tell us they own the place. They say if we don’t like it, we should just move.

‘The landlords say the same and they are not held in any way accountable for the bad behaviour of the students.

‘It’s an appalling situation and year on year it’s become normalised.

‘It continues year round. It’s a lot worse during fresher’s week because it’s become an event now.

‘I’ve spoken to people who have taken a week off to come here. People from Liverpool University who don’t start until next week come over here to party.

‘Because they know they can get away with anything without any warnings, the bad behaviour goes on.’

A worse for wear student stumbles barefoot through the street in Holyland, Belfast

Ms Buddy, who is chair of College Park Avenue Residents’ Association, said she is ‘thoroughly sick of the inaction’ by the authorities.

She said: ‘Nobody is being done for drinking in the street and they’re all drinking from maybe 10 o’clock in the morning.

‘They’re partying in the houses morning, noon and night, but there’s no enforcement.

‘When the authorities go to parties they give a warning about the noise instead of issuing a fine.

‘A policy has been taken to have a graduated approach and it is completely wrong, it doesn’t work.’

She added: ‘They say this approach is not ruin their career prospects, but is it okay to ruin residents’ lives?

A student carries some road furniture through the street in Holyland, Belfast

‘If it was a child in a working class area of Belfast, they would get a criminal record. Why is that students are considered something different.’

A spokesperson for Queen’s University said they have a ‘strict’ disciplinary code for students living off-campus.

They added: ‘Queen’s will fully investigate any complaints or reports of anti-social behaviour.

‘A strict off-campus disciplinary code is in place, and if any Queen’s student is found to have brought the University into disrepute, they will be subject to the full rigours of this code.’

Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said ‘substantial resources’ have been dedicated to policing the area during the freshers’ period.

He added: ‘We want students to be aware that anyone involved in anti-social behaviour or any activity that is outside the law could find themselves with a criminal record which could ultimately affect travel, education and employment opportunities in the future.

‘So our message to students is very straightforward – be respectful of your neighbours, don’t become involved in antisocial or criminal activity and abide by the advice and codes of behaviour of your university or college.’

A council spokesperson added: ‘Council works in partnership with the police, universities and other statutory agencies to address concerns around anti-social behaviour associated with freshers’ week.

‘Proactive patrols by the council’s community safety team have been increased to help target anti-social behaviour, including on-street drinking, and to engage with students.’



[ad_2]

READ SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.  Learn more