2:40pm Saturday 17th July 2010
By Katy Rice
Police will patrol the seafront in a crackdown on rogue barbeques.
The move comes after a residents’ association counted 200 scorch marks on Hove Lawns from people using disposable barbecues.
Brighton and Hove City Council, who has already installed Australian-style barbeque stands in Preston Park, have also vowed to discuss options for the area.
Bill Cowell, East Brunswick Residents' Association (EBRA) chairman, said the “destruction” caused by alfresco cooking on Hove Lawns had prompted them to launch an e-petition urging both the council and the police to enforce a bylaw banning barbeques.
He said: “We are not killjoys and we don't want to stop people having barbecues. But we have counted 200 great black scorch marks already and it's only July.
He added: “It takes a year for the grass to grow back and reseeding costs thousands.”
Mr Cowell said the EBRA had also received complaints from residents about breathing in the smoke from the barbecues.
A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Barbecues are not permitted on Hove Lawns and people are given advice and information by the council’s seafront staff about where they can barbecue - which is on certain beaches after 6pm.
“We will be looking into the concerns raised in the petition and Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, the council’s cabinet member for environment, will be responding at his next meeting on July 26.”
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “Local PCSOs have been made aware of this issue via the Brunswick and Adelaide local action team meeting. Sussex Police are now working with Brighton and Hove City Council's seafront officers to conduct days of actions and joint patrols of Hove lawns to assist the council with making sure people follow the appropriate advice when barbecuing. One day of action has already taken place and more are planned throughout the summer months.”
The e-petition has now closed and is due to be sent to the council within the next few days.
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