City folk say they do not feel safe at Norwich's revamped Haymarket, despite the council spending £3.2 million to make the area more welcoming and inclusive.
Locals are avoiding the city centre square following a spate of crime and antisocial behaviour, calling for increased patrols and more security in the area.
Police were called to a series of incidents this week, including fights, drunken behaviour and a burglary at a bakery.
'IT'S NOT SAFE'
Paula Taylor, who runs a stall on Norwich Market, said she avoids the Haymarket because of large groups who gather at the square.
She blames the newly-installed seating, which was part of the multi-million-pound refurb, for attracting some of the "trouble".
"As a woman, I will turn around from that area and go the other way if I saw there was a large group gathered there because I do not feel safe," she said.
"I think the seating area is the biggest problem there. People who have had a drink there get brave and start causing trouble.
"If they did not have it, people would not feel they had the space to congregate. It was a total waste of money."
Mark Rivett, 61, who regularly visits the city centre, said too much was spent on the scheme and believes the previous layout discouraged people from lingering.
"They have spent too much money on it," he said. "They should have kept the old one because people can now stay for longer."
His friend, Mick Tee'e, said although the area now looks "nice and tidy", he would not walk through it.
"I would not go and sit down there because of the atmosphere," he said. "We would try to avoid the area."
This criticism has also been echoed by businessman Marcus Pearcey.
In a Facebook post, he cited recent incidents and the burglary at the Cornish Bakehouse near Haymarket, saying the events together painted "an increasingly worrying picture".
"Individually, these things might sound relatively minor compared with violent crime," he said. "But collectively they create a feeling that nobody is really in control.
"And that matters because people are telling me they simply don’t feel as comfortable coming into Norwich anymore."
LAW AND DISORDER?
This week alone, police have made several arrests over separate incidents involving teenagers and drunk and disorderly behaviour.
On Thursday, Adam Pollard, 34, of no fixed address, was charged with being drunk and disorderly following an incident at the Haymarket.
Three teenage girls have also been arrested in connection with an assault on another girl, which took place on Thursday evening.
At around 7.45pm on Tuesday, officers were called to the square following reports that a group of people had forced entry and stolen stock from the Cornish Bakehouse.
In December, a staggering 150 youths gathered in the area at once, with a total of 250 counted at the hotspot over the course of one day.
Several retailers, visitors and people working in the city have raised complaints about the number of young people, aged between 11 and 19, who congregate there.
High noise levels, reports of drug taking, minor criminal damage and underage drinking were all raised as issues, with police confiscating paper cups filled with alcohol.
TARGETED PATROLS
Chief Inspector Sarah Dallas said: "We recognise the impact anti-social behaviour can have on those who live, work and spend time in the city centre. Our officers will continue to maintain a visible presence in the Haymarket area, with patrols targeted where they are needed most.
"We are working closely with partner agencies to address concerns, identify those responsible for offending and ensure Haymarket remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
"We have seen reports of disorder, including fights and incidents of criminal damage and burglary, and officers have been actively investigating these matters. Anti-social behaviour and criminal activity will not be tolerated.
"Local neighbourhood officers are continuing to work closely with the local council, businesses and community groups, to address concerns and identify those responsible for criminal and anti-social behaviour.
"Anyone with concerns can contact us via our non-emergency reporting channels, or call 999 if a crime is in progress or there is an immediate risk to public safety."
Norwich City Council did not respond to requests from this newspaper.
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