Stokes Croft is a vibrant part of Bristol West, full of fantastic food and great art.

Which is why I’m disturbed by the complaints from residents and businesses about anti-social behaviour in the area, in particular Turbo Island. I received the first complaint in April this year about regular fires. I immediately wrote to the local police sergeant in April asking them for an update, and I followed that up with a letter to the landowner. The landowner updated me on their discussions with Bristol City Council. I also wrote to the Council hoping for a quick resolution.

The complaints kept coming in. In late June, dissatisfied with the progress being made, I convened a meeting with Bristol City Council officers, the landowner, the police and local councillors.

It was a constructive meeting to break the impasse and get a clear plan of action. The landowner will now work with the Council for improvement works on Turbo Island. They have also committed to identifying positive ways to use the space, such as a food truck or seating area for an adjacent café.

The landowner will also be undertaking regular visits to the site to monitor the accumulation of rubbish, and will be helping clean the site. Should you wish to contact them, please write to estates@wildstone.co.uk.

I also urge residents to report every incident to the police. This helps police keep up to date with the problem and allocate resources accordingly. I also recommend writing to your local councillors, as they are your representatives at the Council and are best positioned to reach a solution quickly.

I am grateful to the work of local police officers, the fire department and the Council in addressing complaints quickly and also working towards reaching a long-term viable solution. While I and my team will continue to provide whatever support is needed, the ultimate responsibility lies with the landowner and I will keep reminding them of that.

Stokes Croft is an essential part of what makes Bristol such an exciting place to live and work in. I promise to keep doing whatever I can to ensure that while the area does not lose its charm and creative spirit, this does not come at a cost of anti-social behaviour.

Photo Credit: Sam Saunders