Order should help people feel safer and enjoy exploring Banbury town centre
15/04/2025
It’s a tool to address aggressive begging, nuisance, street drinking and actions that cause alarm or distress
A public spaces protection order has been put in place in Banbury town centre and People’s Park.
This gives the police and council additional powers to impose fines for a number of types of antisocial behaviour. These include aggressive begging, nuisance, street drinking and actions that cause alarm or distress.
Its hoped the initiative will help Banbury visitors, workers, and residents feel safer and enjoy exploring the town centre.
The order – which came into force yesterday – will continue for up to three years. A review will take place in the third year with an option to renew.
Individuals who engage in prohibited behaviours will initially be spoken to by the council’s community wardens with warnings issued. Continued breaches of the order can result in the issue of fines by the police.
Tim Hughes, Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety at Cherwell District Council, said: “We are very proud to be proactively addressing concerns raised about antisocial behaviour in Banbury. The town has a lovely atmosphere and community, but on the occasion antisocial behaviour does occur, it can have a serious effect on those who experience it.
“The wellbeing and safety of those in Banbury is of the utmost importance to us, and by establishing the PSPO, our community wardens and police colleagues will have additional powers to discourage poor behaviour and take enforcement action where needed.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
Rosy B On 15/04/2025 at 2:25 pm
We will need more officers on the street to police this