Council secures injunction against Wisbech beggar
A Wisbech man has been banned from begging, rough sleeping, urinating and being aggressive in Fenland after a County Court judge granted an injunction sought by Fenland District Council.
Michael Bloy, of no fixed abode, has also been banned from loitering or begging at any cash point, service station or supermarket/convenience store across the district.
Michael Bloy
The two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI) was granted by Peterborough County Court after it heard Mr Bloy had caused significant harassment and distress to others in the local community.
Cllr Susan Wallwork, the Council's Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said: "This judgement sends a very clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our district.
"I'd like to express my thanks to all involved in this case. To the Council's Community Safety team and our partner organisations for their work in taking action to deal with this individual and securing this injunction. But most importantly those members of the community who stepped forward and provided evidence - we wouldn't have been able to achieve this without their support.
"I hope that the concerns of the community will be allayed as a result of the injunction being served."
As part of the ASBI, Mr Bloy is forbidden from:
- Engaging in conduct which causes or is capable of causing a nuisance, alarm, distress, harassment, violence, injury and annoyance to persons residing in or lawfully visiting or operating a business in the locality of the Council District of Fenland, including but not limited to begging, rough sleeping, littering, urinating in public spaces and keeping an aggressive dog which has or is capable of causing injury to others.
- Engaging in violent or threatening conduct or using insulting language against any persons residing in or lawfully visiting or operating a business in the locality of the Council District of Fenland.
- Loitering or begging (including being seated near to) any cash point, service station or supermarket/convenience store within the Council District of Fenland, where the conduct causes or is capable of causing a nuisance, alarm, distress, harassment, violence, injury and annoyance to any person.
The successful injunction is part of ongoing work to tackle anti-social behaviour in Fenland and comes following an extensive investigation by the Council's Community Safety team and police.
Cllr Wallwork added: "Officers have been working together for some months now to address the behaviour of this individual who has caused misery to others. As well as helping to manage his behaviour and prevent it from escalating, we hope the injunction will encourage the defendant to accept the help and support he has been offered."
The court heard Mr Bloy had repeatedly been offered help and support from multiple partner agencies before enforcement action was taken but he had not engaged.
If Mr Bloy breaches any of the terms of the injunction, he will be liable to arrest and could face up to two years in prison.
Breaches can be reported by calling 999 in an emergency, or otherwise by calling 101 or reporting online to the Council or police using the following links:
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September 2023
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