Primrose Hill

SLEEPLESS residents living near Primrose Hill say they are being tormented by people holding parties in the park with blaring sound systems into the early hours.

Unlicensed music events have attracted large groups, it has been warned, with drunk ravers keeping neighbours awake and urinating in the streets.

Lucy Kelsey, who lives in a row of houses opposite the park, said: “We’ve been having a terrible time. One of the main gripes is the amplified music with DJs turning up to play in the park – it’s clearly becoming known as somewhere you can do that.

“Two weeks ago it happened four days in a row. It’s just not on and hard to cope with because you don’t know when it will end.”

She added: “It’s gathered momentum since the lockdown and I think that’s because it’s not being policed.”

A number of residents have told the New Journal they want police to take stronger action.

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Eleanor Sturdy, 55, said she was assaulted after asking one party organiser to turn his music down.

“Two men and a woman came out onto the pavement with a tower of speakers which were still blaring music while they waited for a taxi,” said Ms Sturdy.

“I asked them from my window to turn it down but he said I’d have to go down and turn it off myself. I went down to see them and he started swearing at me and calling me names. He then spat in my face and walloped me around the legs.

“It has really shaken me up to be honest. But the police came and they were really good, they got there quickly and arrested him.”

Ms Sturdy said: “The park is a local treasure and a place people from all around have been able to enjoy for years but now it feels very unsafe.”

Another resident, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said: “Because the park is open all night, unlike many other parks, it is starting to be seen as a place where the rules don’t apply.

“A constant stream of people are coming up our road to urinate.”

Conservative councillor Oliver Cooper said: “From noise, rubbish, damage, and everything else, it needs to be nipped in the bud.

“The use of amplified music is contrary to the by-laws of the Royal Parks, so there are powers that can be used.”

Nick Biddle, Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill park manager, said: “Please be assured that both the police and the Royal Parks are committed to doing all we can to make sure the parks remain pleasant and safe for all visitors.”

Sergeant Alvaro Aracena-Fuentes, from the Primrose Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “I understand residents’ frustrations but I want to reassure them that we are using all available resources to us in order to respond to these reports.”

People are asked to call the police on 101 to report anti-social behaviour.