STUDENTS in ‘big groups’ have been criticised for ‘being rowdy’ and ‘throwing bottles’ in residential areas in east Oxford.

One Jeune Street resident, who did not wish to be named, described the behaviour of Oxford Brookes University students as ‘appalling’.

The reports are a further blow to the university following earlier incidents at the Cheney Student Village and South Park.

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The university responded, encouraging residents to contact police if coronavirus laws are being breached.

The Jeune Street resident said: “Students are currently all over our street in big groups, shouting, being rowdy and throwing bottles after coming out of the Port Mahon pub.

“It is completely unacceptable at any time, let alone a time like this when everyone else is having to make sacrifices.”

The resident added she had previously lived in both central London and Brighton, close to student residences, and never had to complain to any other university, prior to Brookes.

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A representative from the Port Mahon said: “We take our duties as a responsible pub seriously and are following all the current safety regulations for customers in our pub, including closing at 10pm.

“We will continue to ask our customers to respect our neighbours and community.”

A spokesperson for Oxford Brookes University said the university will take ‘firm and decisive action’ against students disregarding coronavirus laws.

The spokesperson added: “We take the concerns of our neighbours and community extremely seriously and we are working closely with a range of partners, including the police, to tackle any issues which occur off campus.

Oxford Mail:

“Where a resident believes that individuals are breaching coronavirus laws, we encourage them to contact the police by dialling 101 or reporting online.

“We are in regular contact with our students to make it clear that we will take firm and decisive action against those who fail to act in accordance with the UK laws on coronavirus, and with our own student conduct regulations.

“Students who are found to be in breach of the conduct regulations could face disciplinary penalties which include formal warnings, community service, fines or suspension or exclusion from some university facilities or services.

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“We take our role in protecting against the further spread of Covid-19 extremely seriously.

“The safety measures we have put in place are designed to protect the health and safety of students, staff and the wider community, and we will enforce them rigorously.”

On Wednesday, 68 positive Covid-19 results at Oxford Brookes were announced in the week leading up to October 16.

One was a staff member, while the remaining 67 were students.