"My whole life has changed" - Southampton businesses experiencing antisocial behaviour every day
A high street in Southampton's businesses are seeing a rise in antisocial behaviour
Last updated 7th Aug 2025
Southampton businesses say they're scared every day as antisocial behaviour increases in the area.
Shirley High Street's Subway, Phone Hub and Sunnyday International Foods say they're all being affected by antisocial behaviour from groups of teenagers.
They say it's been ongoing for several months.
Mohammad Usman, Phone Hub Manager, said: "My whole life has been completely changed.
"I've never had any health issue before, but not I have fear, even if I hear someone is shouting; I get scared, I start shaking, I get nervous, I can't concentrate on work.
"That's in the shop, but even if I go outside, I always have this kind of fear.
"I've been affected by these teenagers and to be honest, I'm having nightmares.
"So even when I'm in the home, I'm thinking of this.
"In the night, it's very hard for me, I can't sleep."
Mr Usman said they also steal from his shop and have broken one of his front windows.
Nnenna Okonkwo, Owner of Sunnydays International Foods, told us her experience of antisocial behaviour first started for her in May with one teenager and has grown into a group of teenagers.
She said: "She comes in threatening me.
"When I close up for work, I'm usually very scared walking to the car.
"I'm literally looking over my shoulder making sure no one's following me, scanning the area, making sure there's no group of people anywhere before I get into the carpark."
Ms Okonkwo has had her shop window smashed and multiple incidents of verbal abuse.
She told us on one of the first incidents, she had children and adults gathered outside her store shouting.
She said: "It was a warzone out here that evening.
"It was really scary, if you'd have seen it yourself, you'd be marvelled at what was going on."