Popular Stafford event pulled due to anti-social behaviour in town

Walking Street placed on hold due to disruption

Popular Stafford event pulled due to anti-social behaviour in town

Organisers of the popular Stafford Walking Street have placed the popular event on hold due to ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

The decision to 'pull' the monthly celebration of food and drink was taken following a series of incidents at last Thursday's event. 

LR Partnership Director and Organiser, Lorraine Conkey. said:

"For the first time ever in 20 years I have had to call the police - but when our security and three male stewards were ‘faced off’ on Tipping Street by a group of 15 year olds, it's a decision that I had to make."

There have been reports of persistent anti-social behaviour in the town centre with local businesses feeling the effect of the situation getting progressively worse.

Lorraine continued:

"Some of our stewards were taunted by youths and found themselves in the thick of it. They were being jeered at, knowing that there is very little that they could do. We have had to involve the police. 

The more these teenagers were asked to dismount from their bikes and walk through - the more they continued, spouting verbal abuse.

They had a total disregard for anyone attending - and it was a continuous battle trying to keep people safe. We could do very little to stop them weaving in and out of the tables - pulling wheelies in front of people. At one point they were on the roof of Superdrug." 

The award winning Stafford Walking Street was first introduced back in 2019 and has since gained in huge popularity, attracting thousands into Stafford town centre with love music and an array of cuisine provided by a variety of street food vendors and mobile bars. The celebration of food and music festival is held once a month throughout the year on a Thursday but organisers have taken the decision to place the event on hold whilst the ongoing work in the Market Square is completed.

Lorraine Conkey added:

"I have a duty of care for everyone who is on site and I cannot place anyone in this position.

I think its best that we place Stafford Walking Street on hold, and hopefully we can get the issue addressed. We will be back once the Market Square works are complete in September, just in time for our Halloween event in October."

More on this story through the week on Stafford FM.