Ban for Birmingham buskers who only knew Wonderwall and Faith
Birmingham’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit and police stepped in after a catalogue of complaints from residents frustrated by repeated disturbances over an 18-month period.
One resident was forced to call police 60 times after attempts to talk to the pair was met with “abuse and threats”.
Matt Williams, 43, who has since moved out of the area, said: “I break down every time I hear Wonderwall or the intro to Faith. It was just one after the other, it was awful.
“It was everything from the noise of them busking on the streets, to begging and causing fights, to the general lawlessness it encouraged while they were there.
“They would go on until four, five or six in the morning. It was horrendous. It completely affected my life.
“I couldn’t sleep but it had a far deeper effect where all of a sudden your home isn’t a place where you could feel comfortable, safe or secure. I didn’t feel I had anywhere that was my sanctuary.”
Another victim, aged 40, added: “If you popped out to go to the shops, you would get hassled on the way out and hassled on the way back.”
Coun Ayoub Khan, Cabinet Member for Local Services and Community Safety, said: “I’m pleased that visitors and residents of Moseley will no longer be subject to this duo’s anti social behaviour.
“BASBU officers have worked in partnership with the community, housing officers and police so that our citizens can go out in Moseley without the hassle of being harassed for money or excessive noise.”
PC Rachel Lamerton, from Woodbridge Road police station said: “We’re grateful to the residents who were willing to come forward and help us and we hope it will deter future individuals within Moseley who cause anti-social behaviour.”
Officers plan to publicise the exact exclusion zones by putting up posters in the area.
Residents said that after interim banning orders against the pair were granted earlier this year, the atmosphere around Moseley Village had dramatically improved.
