Police ask town's free-runners to be more careful
Tuesday, 5th July 2011.
Police have issued an appeal to free-runners in Haverhill to steer clear of premises where damage can be caused by their activities.
Free-running, or parkour, is a new activity which has taken off in the town over the last year, and involves people running across elements of the townscape from street furniture to buildings.
It mostly involves young people but a Haverhill group has been set up and representatives spoke to Haverhill Town Council earlier this year seeking funfding or ideas towards obtaining a purpose-built facility.
Currently there are free-runner sessions at Haverthill Leisure Centre on Saturday afternoons, but participants use many areas of the town centre and have caused some damage in the past.
Over the last week police have received several complaints about the effect of the activity.
Sgt Sarah Bartley said they had had complaints from market traders via St Edmundsbury Borough Council's market inspector.
There was an incident last week where damage was caused to the roof of opticians Wardale Williams in Camps Road, and Tesco has complained about the steps and areas behind the store being used.
"It isn't illegal," said Sgt Bartley, "but if it might come to an accident or cause a nuisance, we have to take action.
"We have had a few complaints in a week now so we have to do something.
"We don't want to stop them, but we want them to think about where they do it. And we shall be increasing our presence in these areas on Fridays."
Free-running, or parkour, is a new activity which has taken off in the town over the last year, and involves people running across elements of the townscape from street furniture to buildings.
It mostly involves young people but a Haverhill group has been set up and representatives spoke to Haverhill Town Council earlier this year seeking funfding or ideas towards obtaining a purpose-built facility.
Currently there are free-runner sessions at Haverthill Leisure Centre on Saturday afternoons, but participants use many areas of the town centre and have caused some damage in the past.
Over the last week police have received several complaints about the effect of the activity.
Sgt Sarah Bartley said they had had complaints from market traders via St Edmundsbury Borough Council's market inspector.
There was an incident last week where damage was caused to the roof of opticians Wardale Williams in Camps Road, and Tesco has complained about the steps and areas behind the store being used.
"It isn't illegal," said Sgt Bartley, "but if it might come to an accident or cause a nuisance, we have to take action.
"We have had a few complaints in a week now so we have to do something.
"We don't want to stop them, but we want them to think about where they do it. And we shall be increasing our presence in these areas on Fridays."
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