Swadlincote Police describe 'day of shame' and 'wanton destruction' at South Derbyshire beauty spot
By Graham Hill
14th Jun 2021 | Local News
Swadlincote Police have revealed a catalogue of 'full-throttle, anti-social behaviour' at Foremark Reservoir yesterday - and said it was a 'day of shame' resembling an extended version of the TV show 'Benidorm'.
Officers reported a day of 'wanton destruction and recklessness'. The area's Safer Neighbourhood Team listed the jaw-dropping events that unfolded over a 10-hour period at the South Derbyshire beauty spot.
Crowds flocked to the reservoir near Swadlincote and police had their work cut out. Some of the incidents that took place included:
- 'bare-chested hooligans' who terrified property-owners
- a parent who 'left her unattended young child in a car at the peak of the day's heat'
- 27 'ignorant drivers' who dumped their vehicles on the grass verge
- a visitor who 'hurled abuse at a lone, female ranger'
- an 'argumentative female driver' who erratically 'hurtled' through a police road closure
- motorists who 'blocked farmers' access points into fields with football paraphernalia and abandoned cars'
- 'swimming-trunk-clad youths' who thought it was acceptable to bathe in dangerous reservoir water
- lone male 'public urinator', who decided to perform in full view of young children and passing motorists
Swadlincote SNT have given a detailed account of the day on their Facebook page.
It reads: "With temperatures reaching a sizzling 29 degrees, your safer neighbourhood team knew yesterday's shift, (Sunday 13 June), was going to be challenging.
"However, nothing could have hardened the officers' stomachs for the undiluted, full-throttle anti-social behaviour that was to follow.
"The troublesome shift will be forever known as one of scorching, wanton destruction and recklessness.
"During an horrendous 10-hour period, acres of beautiful Derbyshire countryside was turned into a triple, back-to-back, episode of ITV's Benidorm.
"Concentrated into a dystopian four-mile geographic radius around Foremark Reservoir, located near Ticknall, hundreds of excursionists and sightseers - armed with crates of lager, barbecues and giant inflatable dinghies – descended for what soon became a day of shame.
"Derbyshire Constabulary received intelligence that the 85-acre reservoir had reached full capacity at 13:00 hours. Within 10, short minutes, calls from anxious residents were received requesting assistance.
"It was immediately clear that the location had become a magnet for inexcusable parking, as well as inconsiderate conduct and behaviour.
"With response officers dealing with a range of other incidents, your safer neighbourhood team were designated to manage a growing number of unsavoury and eye-watering incidents.
"When officers Bob, Finn and Kerry approached the scene it was clear that swift, decisive measures were needed.
"Firstly the stem of voluminous visitors heading to the reservoir – many arriving by taxi and private-hire coach – was causing considerable gridlock. A decision to close the principal roadway leading to the site was made, in order to protect public safety.
"This resulted in officers manning highly-visible road blocks and closures. Officers were quickly joined by Sergeant "Stallone" Nizzer, who valiantly returned to duty from a booked rest day.
"Before reading on you may wish to pop the kettle on, get your favourite biscuits out and sit back for what happened next.
- To the 27 ignorant drivers who dumped their vehicles on the grass verge next double-yellow lines without any consideration for other road users or land owners – what were you thinking? Officers immediately attended the scene and all cars were issued with traffic offence tickets, which will be coming through letterboxes soon. Several drivers drove past saying they were not parked on the grass verge despite the grass still being stuck in their car doors from where they had got in and out of the vehicles whilst parked on the grass verge?. Nice try we also have photographic proof.
- To the bare-chested hooligans who terrified property-owners on Repton Road by blocking their driveways with cars, as well as discarding detritus in local residents' gardens – what were you thinking? The males were identified, challenged and cleared from private driveways – but not before being mandated to pick rubbish from the grass verges. This was a perfect moment for reflection for the red-faced males as they were observed by local residents doing their impromptu litter-pick.
- To the visitor who hurled abuse at a lone, female ranger at the entrance of the reservoir – what were you thinking? With no sense of public norms, the rage-filled woman thought it was appropriate to humiliate the volunteer by taunting her whilst filming her on a mobile 'phone, simply because she had been informed that the reservoir was closed to the public. The upset volunteer was supported by officers at the scene and an investigation is underway to identify the offender.
- To the selfish parent who left her unattended young child in a car at the peak of the day's heat – what were you thinking? The adult was quickly identified and refused entry to the reservoir – and told to return home.
- To the argumentative female driver who erratically hurtled through a police road closure – what were you thinking? Despite clear signage, a marked police car with blue flashing lights and an officer at the cordon, the driver was so eager to get to her destination that she performed an outrageous manoeuvre, by driving on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic. When the officer spoke to her she remained defiant, screeching that she would: "Do it again."
The officer was aghast to be confronted by the woman's mother who yelled at him that she would: "Do the same." Officers visited the driver's home address last night, issued her with a section 59 notice warning, and told her that if she does do it again, her car will be seized.
- To the ignorant motorists who blocked farmers' access points into fields with football paraphernalia and abandoned cars, frustrating their ability to attend to livestock – what were you thinking? Registrations of the vehicles have been taken and tickets are in the post.
- To the swimming-trunk-clad youths who thought it was acceptable to bathe in dangerous reservoir water before littering a beach area – what were you thinking? Officers admonished all individuals involved, made them collect their litter and dispose it in bins. All parties were then told to leave the reservoir and not return.
To the lone male public urinator, who decided to perform in full view of young children and passing motorists – what were you thinking? With wild abandon and to the horror of onlookers, the male made no attempt to use a public toilet or go behind a tree. His joy of spraying rusty-coloured urine only came to a stop when a passing officer parped a car horn, causing the male to bouquet his offerings down his leg.
The man was put in a police car, given a very stiff talking to by the sergeant, with firm action to follow. He was then sent on a mile-long chaffing walk of shame back to his parked car, which had also being issued with a ticket.
- And finally, to the family who found themselves locked in the reservoir after failing to follow clear signage to depart from the locaion by 20:00 hours – what were you thinking? With no logical way out of the reservoir, the household was trapped behind a giant 20-foot long electric gate. The BMW driver had managed to wedge his vehicle down an adjacent grass verge when officers arrived at the scene. What followed would have brought a chuckle to even the most morose face.
The driver went on to complete a record-breaking 300-point manoeuvre. Never in human history has the reverse and first gear being used in such close succession. Resembling the 1972 electronic game Pong, the driver eventually managed to navigate his car out of the reservoir. Officers reminded the driver to observe signage in future."
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