More than forty problem drinkers sent back to Poland
More than forty Polish rough sleepers have been taken off the streets of Hammersmith & Fulham for good, as part of an innovative 'zero tolerance' council scheme.
Nuisance drunks were given a sobering jolt last year when the borough imposed a blanket ban on anti-social public boozing.
At the same time as bringing in the sweeping powers to seize the bottles and cans of booze fuelled street drinkers the council engaged the services of Polish charity Barka.
The dual approach means that in the last six months 44 problem drinkers have been rehabilitated and returned home to Poland.
The success comes after the expansion of the EU into Eastern Europe which saw London experience a marked increase in the number of rough sleepers and drinkers on the streets.
While the majority of migrants successfully find work and accommodation, those who end up on the streets often do so in Hammersmith and Fulham. Experts say this is because of historical links between H&F and these countries, particularly Poland, and also because of the borough's relatively central location.
Cabinet Member for Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour, Councillor Greg Smith, explained: "We realised we had a problem very quickly and our combined approach of tough zero-tolerance measures on the ground with genuine rehabilitation and training opportunities are now reaping dividends."
The Barka foundation has been working with the Broadway Centre in Shepherds Bush and other local groups to 'reconnect' Eastern Europeans in need of help. Barka has a well developed system of housing, training schools and social enterprises in Poland. Many are built by people who have themselves been helped by the organisation.
Councillor Smith said: "It's true that groups of drunks, who congregate on benches and in parks to hurl abuse at passers-by, are being targeted and persistent boozers who refuse to hand over their drink face a fine and a night in the cells.
"But, at the same time as we are doing this, we are offering these people a long-term way out. Barka workers, who have themselves experienced similar problems of homelessness and alcoholism, are meeting today's street drinkers to persuade them they have a chance to change too."
Problem drinkers who return home do so voluntarily and are helped to tackle the negatives that stop them from living successfully either at home or in Britain.
Many stay within Barka's communities and continue to help the organisation grow, by setting up social enterprises or returning to the streets to offer help to those who need the chance to change.
Councillor Smith added: "Our success rates with Barka are impressive. The message is loud and clear - the party is over for the lager fuelled street drinkers and they do have an alternative."
Emma Midgley
January 11, 2008