Abuse of library staff in Cambridgeshire on the rise

People who have been threatening and abusive have been banned from accessing libraries in Cambridgeshire.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that eight people received bans from libraries run by Cambridgeshire County Council last year, up from two people the year before.

Some of the people banned from libraries caused damage to library property, or were threatening and abusive.

The county council said banning people from its libraries was always a “last resort”, but said it had to take action against “unacceptable behaviour”.

Responding to the FOI request submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the county council said no one was banned from a library in 2021, but that two people received bans in 2022, and eight people were banned in 2023.

Central Library in Cambridge saw the highest number of bans overall with five people being banned over the last two years.

Here is a breakdown of the incidents that led to people receiving a ban from a library:

• 19/05/2022 – Central Library (Cambridge) – Disruptive behaviour and damage to library property
• 30/08/2022 – St Neots Library – Aggressive and threatening behaviour
• 17/02/2023 – St Ives Library – Anti social behaviour
• 24/03/2023 – Central Library (Cambridge) – Abusive and aggressive behaviour, as well as using discriminatory language
• 06/05/2023 – Wisbech Library – Abusive and aggressive behaviour, while also swearing
• 31/05/2023 – St Neots Library – Abuse, both verbal and physical
• 20/07/2023 – Central Library (Cambridge) – Threatening behaviour
• 01/11/2023 – Huntingdon Library – Abuse, both verbal and physical
• 11/11/2023 – Central Library (Cambridge) – Abusive and aggressive behaviour
• 24/11/2023 – Central Library (Cambridge) – Threatening behaviour

A spokesperson for the county council said: “Our libraries are inviting spaces where everyone is welcome, however the safety and welfare of our staff and users is paramount.

“On the rare occasions when we encounter instances of unacceptable behaviour, we will take appropriate action.

“Banning someone from our libraries is always a last resort and a warning is given first, except in exceptional circumstances.”

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