PSPO TO TACKLE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN CHESTER CITY CENTRE TO COMMENCE ON MONDAY 2 MAY
Extra powers to tackle certain types of anti-social behaviour in public places in Chester city centre have been approved by Councillors and will take effect on Monday 2 May.
The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) prevents the use of intoxicating substances, deters public urination and defecation, and controls the use of alcohol.
These measures had overwhelming public support in a recent consultation that attracted one of the largest responses ever recorded by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Councillor Nicole Meardon, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “The PSPO gives the council and local police additional powers to deal with particular problems that are detrimental to the local community’s quality of life.
“We are confident that a PSPO is the best way to deal with the issues of intoxicating substances, public urination and defecation, and drinking alcohol in a public place.
The PSPO, which will cover the city centre and parts of Newtown and Boughton, will ensure local residents can use and enjoy public spaces safe from anti-social behaviour.
Any person who fails to comply with the requirements of the Order is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or a fixed penalty notice of a maximum £100.
The order will be in place for a minimum of three years.
Councillor Meardon added: “It’s really important that we keep a close eye on the PSPO to assess the impact it is having on the quality of life of people in Chester. Cabinet members will be reviewing the order after 12 months.
“If other issues become apparent in the PSPO area, we can consider variations to the order.”
Temporary notices will be put up in the areas covered by the PSPO from 29 April, for an initial six week period. More permanent signage will be erected after this time.
Chief Inspector Paul Williams said: “We’re here for communities and we’re keen to work closely with our partners to make Chester a safer city in which to live, work or visit.
“PSPOs are a relatively new tool that enables our partners, supported by ourselves, to address some of the issues that we collectively face on a daily basis.
“Having the PSPO means that it is now much easier for Police Officers and Local Authority Enforcement Officers to deal with anyone who is having detrimental impact upon our local communities.”
PSPOs were launched as part of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and the orders enable local authorities to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a particular area that is detrimental to the local community’s qualify of life, by imposing conditions on the use of that area which apply to everyone.
Notices informing the public of the order will go up in the PSPO area from 29 April 2016.
