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Oct 12, 2023

New fencing installed at Derby supermarket to protect shoppers

'Dangerous and disturbing' items have often been found outside the store Never

'Dangerous and disturbing' items have often been found outside the store

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New fencing has been installed outside a Derby supermarket to help put a stop to anti-social behaviour and protect staff and customers from "serious health risks". Green fencing can now be seen around the back of the city's Aldi store on Burton Road where it meets Mount Street.

The fencing has been installed following months of anti-social problems at the site, which prompted Aldi bosses to ask Derby City Council for planning permission so something could be done. Plans were submitted at the end of 2021. It is not clear how long the fencing has exactly been up but it is understood to have been installed fairly recently.

The supermarket chain said "dangerous and disturbing" items were often found outside the store, including weapons and hypodermic needles. Aldi bosses said at the time the additional fencing was seen as an "essential measure" moving forward to protect the community.

In planning documents Aldi stated: "The store has been having consistent issues with anti-social behaviour, posing serious health and safety risks to the local community, customers, Aldi staff and to the property. Recent maintenance checks on the site have found numerous dangerous and disturbing objects, to the southern elevation of the property.

"Items such as these are currently having to be cleared from the property on an almost biweekly basis. A recent visit to the store from the Community Support Officer also coincided with them being able to witness occurrences of anti-social behaviour outside the Aldi premises with the store's management team."

Nearby residents told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they felt scared going to the store as they would often have to approach large groups.

A young woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "Yes, it's been going on for years, it puts me off going to the supermarket. Sometimes there are groups of 10 people hanging around drinking. I’ve seen some people leaning on my car and I’ve had to approach them about it."