We spoke to locals about the increased security in Fallowfield

Both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University are working together to hire two security guards to act as “visible guardians” to patrol the streets of Fallowfield from Saturday 17th September to Saturday 5th November.

The aim of the extra security is to crack down on anti social behaviour and student house parties in the area. It is said that “they will provide reassurance to residents while acting as ‘professional witnesses’, gathering evidence of anti-social behaviour and presenting it to campus bosses who will then take action. The scheme is designed to end the rowdy parties which have plagued neighbourhoods in Fallowfield and Withington for years.

“Students bring a sense of vibrancy, life and culture, although it’s quite nice to have a bit of rest bite over Christmas and summer holidays.”

We went and spoke to some locals to get their view on the new enforcement, and to ask them on their views on students as a whole in Fallowfield. We asked if they thought whether students have a more positive or negative impact on the community, and most agreed that it was a complete mix of both:

‘Too much arrogance. Students think that they own Fallowfield.”

One person mentioned how when he got off the bus opposite Sainsbury’s, a group of lads ran into him on their bikes. There was an altercation, yet none of the students stopped to apologise: they just shouted abusive language at him. There can be an issue with lack of respect from students and locals believe there needs to be a mutual regard for each other within the community.

We asked for their opinion on house parties and whether they’ve ever been affected by the noise. “Not really, they never seem to be too much of a problem as long as we’re warned about it a few days before.” When we informed them of the news of the ban on house parties they seemed shocked.

“House parties are more contained and are generally a one off’.

‘The streets and pubs need policing, house parties are not a priority’.

Locals reported that any issues they come across regarding students and antisocial behaviour generally occurs on the streets in the early hours of the morning, or in local pubs such as Wetherspoons or Friendship Inn. Noisy students coming back from a night out, or getting too hammered in the pub is what causes more concern to the local community.

One man interviewed, a mature student, said he had an incident where students were throwing things at him when he was at the Friendship Inn one evening like bits of rubbish and shot glasses. “I understand what it’s like to have a bit of fun when you’re drunk, but sometimes people can take things too far.”

“House parties will always happen, it’s all a part of being a student.” A ban won’t change anything, what’s needed is for students to be given advice and support on how to make them safer for everyone within the community.