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Consultation on Public Spaces Protection Orders

Screen Shot 2016-03-01 at 16.34.18Proposals to help address anti-social behaviour arising from the consumption of alcohol, begging and the use of illegal motorcycles in public places are being put forward across South Tyneside.

As part of a consultation exercise, residents in South Tyneside are being encouraged to have their say on proposals for new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to be implemented at designated locations across the Borough.

If introduced, the orders would impose conditions on people consuming alcohol and begging in the Chichester area of South Shields as well as South Tyneside’s three town centres of South Shields, Hebburn and Jarrow.

It is also proposed that an order cover the whole of the Borough in relation to the use of illegal motorcycles in public places.

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety at South Tyneside Council, said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a detrimental impact on people’s quality of life not to mention the negative perception it can give of an area.

“We want people visiting to our town centres and public spaces to be able to enjoy these areas, safe from this sort of behaviour and activity and introducing these new orders is one way we can address this.

“These orders are designed to regulate activities in particular public places and help the authorities to deal with persistent or continuing anti-social behaviour in areas where concerns have been highlighted.

“We are keen to know what people think of the plans and would encourage our communities to give us their feedback as part of the consultation.”

The draft PSPOs have been produced by South Tyneside Council in partnership with Northumbria Police and propose that the following restrictions are implemented for three years in the following areas:

  • Area A: the use of illegal motorcycles in public spaces across the whole of South Tyneside;
  • Area B: prevent any person(s) in South Shields Town Centre from consuming alcohol when requested not to do so by a Police Officer, Community Support Officer or an authorised officer of the Council and to prevent begging.
  • Area C: prevent any person(s) in Jarrow Town Centre from consuming alcohol when requested not to do so by a Police Officer, Police Community Support Officer or an authorised officer of the Council and to prevent begging;
  • Area D: prevent any person(s) in Hebburn Town Centre from consuming alcohol when requested not to do so by a Police Officer, Police Community Support Officer or an authorised officer of the Council and to prevent begging;
  • Area E: prevent any person(s) in the Chichester Area from consuming alcohol when requested not to do so by a Police Officer, Police Community Support Officer or an authorised officer of the Council and to prevent begging.

Members of the public are invited to put forward their views on the proposals before the closing date of Friday 1 April 2016.

Acting Chief Inspector for Communities, Steve Pescod said: “We know anti-social behaviour can have a detrimental effect on our communities and are committed to working with our partners and utilising the powers that we have available to tackle the issue.

“This is an opportunity for local communities across South Tyneside to have their say and we would encourage them to do so.”

PSPOs were introduced under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and give councils and police additional powers and greater flexibility to tackle anti-social behaviour in defined geographical areas. They have already been implemented in many parts of the country.

If introduced, the PSPOs will replace some of the existing Designated Public Places Orders in place across the Borough.

Anyone who breaches a PSPO risks a £100 fine. Failure to pay may result in criminal proceedings with a maximum penalty of £1,000. They can be enforced by the Police, Police Community Support Officers and any authorised officer of the Council.

Members of the public can submit their views on the proposals by emailing PSPOconsultation@southtyneside.gov.uk

For more detailed information about the proposed PSPOs visit South Tyneside Council’s website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/pspo or call the Customer Contact Centre on (0191) 427 7000.

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