Citizen’s arrest made on student over car attack

This is the latest incident in which neighbours in Leamington’s Old Town have contacted The Courier about the behaviour of university students.

Police said they have stepped up patrols in the area but also stated that the recent problems are not solely down to the influx of students.

Anneli Walley, who lives in New Street, said residents have had enough.

She added: “On Friday November 2 at 11.30pm my husband was forced to make a citizen’s arrest because a young student from Warwick University decided to run across the top of two very expensive cars.

“A rowdy, drunk, gaggle of 30 or so students from Warwick University, decided that rather than walking down the road together in New Street towards the clubs and pubs quietly, they would shout, scream and carry on as though no one else mattered in the world.

“The student then thought that this wasn’t enough and to show off or go that one step further decided running across the top of a Mercedes and an old classic Saab seemed the most fun thing to do.”

She said her husband held the student until the police arrived. Police confirmed that they arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion on criminal damage and held him overnight. He was released on bail until the beginning of December.

Mrs Walley added: “For more than five years, the Old Town of Leamington has been constantly battling with the planning department, Warwick University, the landlords and the police to try to maintain a standard of behaviour and decency for those residents that live and work in Leamington.”

One Bath Street area resident contacted The Courier to claim that there was “lack of respect from Warwick students” towards residents.

And went on to say: “Each night in Bath Street there is a cacophony of screaming, shouting, noise and hoo-hah.”

Pc Andy Whiston, South Leamington Safer Neighbourhood Team beat manager, said: “We are making sure that teams policing the town centre are aware of the issues in the Bath Street area and patrols are taking place to deal with noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour. We are aware of concerns and not ignoring it.”

A spokesman for Warwick University Students’ Union said: “We agree that it is a minority of people living in the area who cause anti-social behaviour.

“It is important to remember that not everyone who causes a nuisance in this way is a student or even a young person. We do however recognise the impact of anti-social behaviour on residents and always work with the community and community partners wherever we can to deter this sort of behaviour and mitigate the effects of anti-social behaviour.”

The students’ union also gives information on being a good neighbour and organises regular end of term clean-up campaigns.