London Fields mess: Security measures stepped up to catch ‘brats’
People enjoyed the sunshine on Sunday at London Fields, but others left piles of rubbish all over the grass. Picture: Gareth Jones - Credit: Archant
Security will be stepped up at London Fields during the next heatwave after “thoughtless brats” left the park covered in rubbish.
Rubbish was left covering the grass. Picture: Hackney Council - Credit: Archant
Hackney Council has acted swiftly following widespread outrage at the mess left on Sunday and promised staff will remain on site until the early hours at weekends.
The town hall will also run enforcement days where anyone caught littering, selling laughing gas or urinating can expect a fine.
Thousands of people flocked to the hipster haven at the weekend to bask in the 24-degree heat, with the Hackney half marathon adding to the celebratory atmosphere. But some of the revellers failed to tidy up after themselves and left drinks cans, carrier bags and burnt-out barbecues on the grass.
Passer-by Bradley Tubb posted this photo on Twitter on Monday - Credit: Archant
Neighbours also complained about “hipsters” turning up with sleeping bags, taking part in a “drunken orgy” and leaving drug paraphernalia on the floor.
Hackney’s cabinet member for culture Cllr Jonathan McShane said the extra bins and staff were little use when “thoughtless brats make no effort to clear up after themselves.”
He said: “The people who made this mess need to grow up and understand they’re not welcome in Hackney if they won’t respect our parks, our parks staff and local residents.”
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He continued: “Security staff will be on site until the early hours at weekends during the next hot spell.
“As in previous years, we will also run days where people are fined for things like littering, selling nitrous oxide and urinating.”
The litterbugs were widely condemned on social media after images emerged of the mess.
Mike Martin, chairman of the London Fields User Group, said the antics were “worse than ever” and blamed the allowance of barbecues. He told the Gazette: “That’s what brings them all here. They shouldn’t allow them to have barbecues and they shouldn’t be allowed to stay overnight. It turned into a drunken orgy and there was drug paraphernalia on the park.”
