DRUG crime and antisocial behaviour in city parks and open spaces has increased since the easing of lockdown.

Councillors raised their concerns about increasing antisocial behaviour, littering and broken bylaws at Brighton and Hove City Council’s tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee.

Seafront officers have spoken with increasing numbers of people breaking the bylaws relating to Hove Lawns, by having dogs off leads, cycling on the promenade and holding barbecues.

Brighton and Hove divisional commander, chief superintendent Nick May said he has received numerous reports of antisocial behaviour on the seafront.

Chief Supt May confirmed there are PCSO foot patrols in the area encouraging people to follow the rules.

He said there is an “inevitability” to some elements of antisocial behaviour with increasing numbers of people gathering on the seafront as pubs are closed and social distancing prevents visiting friends at home.

But he told councillors the level of antisocial behaviour on Hove seafront is not high enough to warrant a more forceful response than the current patrols.

Chief Supt May said the force is more concerned about increasing crime in St Ann’s Well Gardens, The Level and Regency Square areas.

He said: “Our overall approach within the city is around threat, harm and risk.

“We will target domestic abuse, robberies, burglaries, knife crime, drugs, county lines and so forth. I would struggle to commit extra resources to cover bylaws.”

Goldsmid ward Labour councillor Jackie O’Quinn said police are supportive and helpful in response to Chief Supt May’s comments.

She said officers are trying very hard to contain issues on the seafront and the severe problems in her ward.

During the meeting, she told the committee she had just received a text from a member of the St Ann’s Well Gardens Committee saying a “gang” had gathered there.

Councillor O’Quinn said: “People are getting pretty scared with open dealing and open shooting up and raves into the early morning.

“We are having a lot of antisocial behaviour, a lot of petty crime. We have problems in Dyke Park, and in Hove Park, there are problems all around our Goldsmid ward.”

Brunswick and Adelaide ward Green councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty said he warned both the council and Sussex Police that warm weather combined with closed pubs and restaurants would see city squares and the seafront “bear the brunt” of bad behaviour.

He said: “In my ward, I’ve had beach huts and shelters graffitied, rubbish piled high, parties that last until the small hours.

“I’ve stopped someone smashing a glass bottle on the promenade.

“The area behind the beach huts and the steps leading to Adelaide Crescent have had to be cleaned because of the stench of urine.

“Residents are frequently complaining of an intimidating atmosphere into the evening and night.”

Councillor Mac Cafferty and fellow Brunswick and Adelaide representative councillor Hannah Clare put together a video about their regular litter picks and the issue of human waste under the bushes in the squares.

Wish ward councillor Robert Nemeth reminded councillors of a recent incident when former Conservative city council candidate Rico Wojtulewicz was attacked after intervening in a conflict between a man and woman on Hove seafront. Councillor Nemeth asked councillors to support a wide range of actions including regular actions to deal with broken bylaws, better use of CCTV, offering graffiti wipes from the seafront office and dealing with overflowing bins.

The father-of-three said: “We need the support of the police on bylaw infringements that annoy so many people.

“It’s not about killjoys saying no cycling on the prom, it’s about little kids being hurt and kids being knocked over by big dogs.”

He described dealing with graffiti in a timely as a “broken windows” situation where quick repair puts other vandals off causing more damage.

Green and Conservative councillors pushed through all seven suggestions put forward, with Labour members either opposing or abstaining from voting for six points of action.

Committee chairwoman Councillor Carmen Appich said the majority of his ideas, including proposals for new signs, fell under other members’ wards.

Councillors unanimously agreed to praise workers at the Seafront Office for dealing with anti-social behaviour on Hove Lawns and beyond.