Residents in Southampton's St Marys area have raised fresh complaints about persistent anti‑social behaviour, reporting repeated alcohol‑fuelled gatherings at the junction of Derby Road and Graham Road that they say routinely continue into the early hours.
What neighbours are reporting
Householders described a cycle of late‑night parties, loud music and badly parked vehicles. They say the disturbances often last until 2 or 3am, leaving streets littered with broken glass and refuse and making it impossible to open windows even during hot weather.
"I cannot believe that we have to complain about the same issue so many times and still there's no action. They party with loud music till 2 or 3am. We're not able to open windows - even when it's 35C - because of the noise. The issue is now out of control and we are losing patience."
Another resident told council officials and the local paper that children walking through the area were encountering an environment smelling of alcohol and strewn with dangerous debris. They said repeated reports and meetings had produced little visible change.
Authorities' response
Both Hampshire Constabulary and Southampton City Council have received complaints about the gatherings. The council's cabinet member for communities, safety and leisure, Cllr Toqeer Kataria, said the authority is treating the matter seriously and highlighted a co‑ordinated local initiative.
"We understand the impact that anti‑social behaviour, street drinking, littering nuisance parking and environmental issues can have on local communities,"
Cllr Kataria pointed to the Building a Brighter Future for St Mary's programme, launched in May, which aims to bring together council services and Safe City partners to tackle issues in the area. He said that reports made to the council and partners are reviewed and assessed so appropriate action can be taken where necessary.
What residents want — and what is being offered
- Stronger on‑the‑ground policing and regular patrols at peak times.
- Swift removal of litter and hazardous debris, such as broken glass.
- Measures to prevent nuisance parking around the junction.
- Clearer, faster feedback to residents after reports are submitted.
At present, residents say they are not seeing those outcomes in practice. The council's programme and partner agencies are the formal route for response; Hampshire Constabulary also deals with incidents of public disorder and may take action where criminality is identified.
| Issue reported | What residents say | Official position |
|---|---|---|
| Late‑night noise | Music and parties until 2–3am | Incidents reviewed and assessed by council and partners |
| Litter and broken glass | Streets fouled and potentially hazardous | Environmental action forms part of local programme |
| Nuisance parking | Badly parked vehicles around junction | Work with partners to address parking and safety |
For neighbours, the question is whether the Building a Brighter Future for St Mary's programme and police activity will produce a noticeable improvement. In the meantime, those affected continue to log complaints and seek quicker, tangible responses to problems they say have become entrenched.
Anyone experiencing persistent anti‑social behaviour can report incidents to Southampton City Council through its online reporting channels and to Hampshire Constabulary. Providing dates, times, photographs and other evidence will help agencies assess and prioritise cases.
Joshua Harris
Southampton Community Correspondent
