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Views sought on new plan to tackle anti-social behaviour
31/07/2024
This would replace an existing order which hasn’t been suitable for addressing some issues
What do you think should be done to tackle anti-social behaviour in Banbury?
People who live or work in the town – and visitors – are being invited to have their say on measures to tackle the problem.
Cherwell District Council is proposing a new public spaces protection order. This would give the council and Thames Valley Police additional powers to discourage anti-social behaviour and to issue fines.
An existing public spaces protection order was created following a consultation in 2023 but its now felt this isn’t suitable for tackling the problems that are being reported.
Councillor Rob Parkinson, Portfolio Holder for Regulatory, said: “We want people to enjoy everything Banbury has to offer without experiencing anti-social behaviour.
“Incidents of aggressive begging, street drinking and verbal abuse are relatively rare, but they can have a serious impact on their victims when they do happen. A [public spaces protection order] signals to people that we want the best for Banbury and allows our community wardens and colleagues in the police service to take enforcement action if necessary.
“We want residents, businesses, and people in the area who use Banbury town centre to have their say and contribute to making Banbury’s public spaces as safe and welcoming as possible.”
The order would cover Banbury town centre and People’s Park. It identifies restricted behaviours which can be penalised in those areas, including aggressive begging, aggressive or intimidating street drinking, and abusive, violent or aggressive behaviour.
Sometimes these behaviours don’t meet the thresholds for other forms of action, but a public spaces protection order allows for fixed penalty notices to be issued.
Cherwell is proposing a public spaces protection order which would be based on warning and informing in the first instance, encouraging those engaged in the restricted behaviours to access support services. The council and police would then use the formal powers the order gave them in cases of repeated breaches.
The consultation is open until August 23.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam
simon On 03/08/2024 at 5:19 pm
2023 wasn’t unsuitable,it’s not enforced ,by police ,wardens Pcso,
so unless this is fitted into policeman’s daily work load,they will refuse to do it ,make sure people who have a job to do ,so that job,what is so wrong with a zero tolerance regarding bad behaviour, .it seems the small number of beggars,drunks ,scooter ,bike riders ,are exempt from rules,whereas the majority are held to account to account regarding rules .
Samantha Wasilewski On 04/08/2024 at 12:44 am
Yes we need the Public place protection order to be brought back, to be protect the Town and its law abiding citizens by stating there will be No drinking allowed on the streets, No Drug addicts aggressively begging and drinking and causing mayhem. Loud music from speakers and shouting and swearing at People. The towns people need to be able to feel Safe and I as a woman do not feel safe walking past White lion walk or outside the gaming cafe or bandstand near Robert Dyaus is were they all congregate. Usually in gangs 8-10 people all drunk and disorderly.. Cherwell council we need the protection Order implementing immediately.