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A barber who taped up a bench outside his shop after being plagued by anti-social behavior has been left in shock after she claimed police threatened to harm her.
Rebecca Sutton decided to take drastic action after she was beaten by drug dealers and drunks who gathered outside her business in the picturesque market town of Market Drayton, Shropshire.
The 37-year-old last Tuesday taped over the troubled bench outside The Town Barbers with black tape and a handwritten sign declaring it was out of order.
Ms Sutton said she acted after bouts of anti-social behavior after catching addicts openly smoking drugs, drunks urinating on them and people having sex.
She claims she has repeatedly complained about the problem to the council and the police – but nothing has ever been done.
She said she was then stunned after being “warned” by West Mercia Police that she could now face prosecution herself for causing “damage” to the bench.
Mrs Sutton, from Market Drayton, said: “I just couldn’t take it anymore. We’ve had a lot of people doing cocaine off the bench and even people having sex on it.
“You get drunk and pee in the middle of the day and this week I had someone openly smoke a bong outside a shop.
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“I have families that come here and if you saw someone taking drugs outside the barbershop, you would move on and go somewhere else.
“I’ve been here 12 years and it’s getting worse and worse.
“But nobody wants to do anything. I have contacted the council and the police but it doesn’t stop.
“I have asked the council to remove the bench outside my shop because that is where everyone gathers.
“But they refused, because they say older people need it, but there are more benches here.
“And then the police warned me it could be classed as criminal damage. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“I asked the police for help but they say I could be the one to be prosecuted.
“I didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t take more. I’m just trying to help and protect my business.”
Market Drayton Borough Council said the situation of anti-social behavior in the town “remains”.
Town Clerk Sue Thomas said: “This is an ongoing issue which the town council has raised with the local policing team on a number of occasions, they have agreed to increase patrols in the area and issue PPOs where necessary.
“The area in question is the responsibility of Shropshire Council; they decided not to move the bench.’
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Andy Wilde, Deputy Director of Infrastructure, Highways and Transport at Shropshire Council, added: “We understand how concerning this situation has been and we will continue to work with all agencies to find a permanent solution to tackle the problem of anti-social behavior in the area. flat.
“We believe that by addressing the cause of the journey, in this case the anti-social behavior of the individuals responsible, is where the focus needs to be, rather than removing seats that can be used by all.”
Inspector Claire Greenway, from the North Shropshire Safer Neighborhood Team, said: “We understand the impact that anti-social behavior can have on our communities and we are committed to doing everything we can to tackle local issues.
“We are currently speaking to business owners in the town and working with partner agencies to identify those responsible for anti-social behavior and to further investigate any offenses committed.
“I encourage the public to always report any anti-social behavior and other crimes via our website or by calling 101, which is essential to finding those responsible.”
MailOnline has contacted West Mercia Police for comment.