Lancaster City Council is asking local residents and businesses for their views on new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) which will allow it to deal more effectively with cases of anti-social behaviour in a number of defined areas in the district.
PSPOs were granted under section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour (ASB), Crime and Policing Act 2014 to allow authorised council officers and the police to introduce new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour. The orders allow them to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a specific area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of local communities.
A PSPO can cover multiple restrictions including acting in an anti-social manner and consuming or failing to surrender alcohol when instructed to do so by a police officer or authorised council officer.
The proposed areas to be covered by the new PSPOs include Lancaster City Centre, Morecambe, Lower Heysham (covering Heysham village and barrows), Williamson Park and Happy Mount Park. A proposal has also been submitted by Morecambe BID for a PSPO to permit the installation of a number of alley gates in areas of Morecambe which have become hotspots for fly-tipping.
Once a PSPO order is made it lasts for up to 3 years. Previous PSPOs have now expired and to introduce new ones, the council must consult with the public and local businesses on the orders and whether any adjustments need to be made or if they feel further local areas should be the subject of a PSPO.
The revised orders could result in fixed penalty notices of £100 or if convicted of breaching a PSPO in court a fine of up to £1,000.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Caroline Jackson and council representative on the Lancaster District Community Safety Partnership, said: “The PSPOs will play an important part in ensuring that people who live, work and visit our district can enjoy doing so in peace and in a place which they feel is safe and welcoming and also a way in which the police and council can protect the community spaces we all care about.
“To help us to design each PSPO to fit the particular places and problems that need attention, we would welcome the views of local residents and businesses alike on the restrictions imposed on anti-social behaviour as set out in the PSPOs as well as welcome any further suggestions on what needs to be included to further improve public safety and wellbeing.”
The associated documentation and online questionnaire which takes less than 10 minutes to complete can be found online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/pspo-consult
The consultation will run for four weeks. The deadline for feedback is 5pm on Sunday, September 19.
Anyone with any queries on either the PSPOs or the consultation should email communitysafety@lancaster.gov.uk
All data provided will be kept secure and only used for the purpose of the survey.
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