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New rules would enable stronger action to address anti-social behaviour in Banbury
27/03/2023
Our views are being sought on giving additional powers to community wardens and the police
We’re being asked for our views on anti-social behaviour in Banbury. The feedback from a consultation which is now underway will help define a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order – that would prohibit harmful street drinking and begging in specific public areas.
The consultation is being run jointly by Cherwell District Council and Thames Valley Police.
A Public Spaces Protection Order would allow the Council’s community wardens and the police to have further powers to tackle anti-social behaviour by issuing warnings and providing information about where people can access support. Fixed penalty notices could be issued for behaviour which doesn’t meet the current thresholds or legal requirements for other formal action.
Activities which would be restricted include loitering linked to antisocial behaviour, aggressive begging and nuisance street drinking. The rules would see officers able to require people to surrender alcohol if it’s considered that in continuing to consume it they would cause nuisance or annoyance to other people in the locality.
The council would also be able to utilise warning signs to promote the restrictions and raising public awareness of the standards of behaviour that are expected in Banbury.
Councillor Eddie Reeves, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities, said: “Banbury is full of vibrant and bustling places that have welcoming communities and plenty of opportunities to socialise. It is vital that everyone feels able to safely use public areas to be able to meet friends and family, socialise and shop. Sadly we’ve seen the behaviour of a small number of people causing people’s experiences to be impacted negatively which has also damaged the reputation of our wonderful town.
“We are proposing to reintroduce a PSPO in Banbury. We found that the previous PSPO acted as a useful deterrent and gives our community wardens and TVP officers extra powers to tackle behaviour that could cause alarm or distress including to confiscate alcohol.”
Public Spaces Protection Orders were first introduced in England in 2014. They are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour. A Local Government Association briefing note says they are not about stopping the responsible use of the night-time economy, or preventing young people from seeing their friends, but do provide councils with another instrument to help deal with persistent issues that are damaging their communities.
The consultation can be accessed here. It closes on April 14.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam