Council to introduce extended powers to deal with anti-social behaviour

The law changed in 2014 to give local authorities and local police extended powers to deal with anti-social behaviour. Public Space Protection Orders include a list of prohibitions specific to each local authority area and can last up to three years. Anyone who breaches a local PSPO can be fined up to £1,000. Both the council and the police are responsible for enforcing the PSPO.

The proposed prohibitions for the new North Lincolnshire PSPO include:

Failing to stop drinking or to surrender alcohol after having been required to do so by a duly authorised person, in specific areas

A single person cannot have more than four dogs in their sole charge

Dogs are excluded from enclosed children’s play areas and other designated sites such as schools

Dog faeces left by any dog should be removed immediately by the person in charge of or responsible for the dog

No loitering, lodging or begging in the street, in specific areas

No riding a motor bike, quad bike or mini moto in a manner deemed by an authorised person to be anti-social

No peddling goods, in a specific area

Councillor Richard Hannigan, cabinet member for safer, greener and cleaner places said: “The new Public Space Protection Order means that authorised council officers will have the power to deal with anti-social behaviour that only the police dealt with before, and vice versa.

“For example, authorised council officers will now be able issue appropriate sanctions to anyone drinking alcohol in a specified exclusion zone, riding a motor bike in an anti-social manner, or peddling goods in a particular area.

“We work closely with Humberside Police and other agencies to prevent anti-social behaviour, but when it does take place we need to use our powers to bring offenders to account.

“The change in the law means that we can better target offences that we know are a concern in North Lincolnshire. By working together we will continue to reduce anti-social behaviour in our area and make it an even greater place to live.

“It is important that we understand the views of the public on the new Public Space Protection Order. Please visit the website for more information and to complete the brief survey. ”

Inspector Tim Harvey from Humberside Police, said: “We know just how much anti-social behaviour can affect people’s lives and business’. We already use a number of different tactics to disrupt and tackle this sort of behaviour, but the new legislation would give the partner agencies an extra tool to deal with the issues.

“We would definitely welcome these new powers and hope that the public will support the proposals.”

An online consultation will take place until 22 September 2017. It includes further detail on the above list and maps to shows the areas relating to specific prohibitions. Visit www.northlincs.gov.uk/current-consultations.