Eight people have been banned from libraries in Cambridgeshire in the last year for being threatening and abusive, or damaging property.
Cambridgeshire County Council said banning people from its libraries was always a “last resort”, but said it had to take action against “unacceptable behaviour”.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request showed no one was banned from a county library in 2021, two people were banned in 2022 and eight were banned in 2023.
Central Library in Cambridge recorded the highest number of bans, with five over the last two years. The 2022 bans were imposed after disruptive behaviour and damage to library property at Central Library and aggressive and threatening behaviour at St Neots library.
The 2023 bans were imposed for:
\- anti social behaviour at St Ives library
\- abusive and aggressive behaviour, and discriminatory language at Cambridge’s Central Library
\- abusive and aggressive behaviour, and swearing, at Wisbech library
\- verbal and physical abuse at St Neots library
\- threatening behaviour at Cambridge’s Central Library
\- verbal and physical abuse at Huntingdon library
\- abusive and aggressive behaviour at Cambridge’s Central Library
\- threatening behaviour at Cambridge’s Central Library.
A council spokesperson 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.”
