Public space protection order proposed

Authorities could be given greater power to curb anti-social behaviour in Redditch town centre under new proposals.

Plans now out to public consultation by Redditch Borough Council would cover most of the town centre with a Public Space Protection Order, or PSPO.

The PSPO would make it an offence to refuse, when asked by a police officer or authorised council officer, to surrender alcohol, intoxicating substances and the items used to take them, or to refuse an instruction to leave the area for a set period of time. These are not offences outside a PSPO.

By introducing a PSPO in Redditch town centre, Redditch Borough Council would give authorised officers additional powers to quickly deal with people behaving anti-socially there, by asking them to leave the area for a set period of time, confiscating alcohol and intoxicating substances, issuing fines, or if necessary making arrests.

The council is considering the move after concerns were raised by members of the public, businesses, and local organisations. The Order has also been requested by West Mercia Police.

Redditch Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community and Regulatory Services, Cllr Lucy Harrison, said: “Supporting targeted initiatives to reduce anti-social behaviour is a priority for this council.

“The proposed PSPO is designed to enable authorities to further tackle the kind of anti-social behaviour issues that many people are concerned about in the town centre. By legally restricting certain behaviour within the area, we will give authorised officers additional tools they don’t currently have to be able intervene early in certain situations.

“But this is not a done deal. The council is seeking opinions from the community on the proposed PSPO before it makes a decision.”

The PSPO has been designed to restrict behaviours identified as having an ongoing and unreasonable detrimental effect on people in the area such as alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, the misuse of intoxicating substances, and threatening, abusive, or offensive behaviour.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Matt Dormer, said: “PSPOs are tools communities can use to help tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour in public spaces, to help keep those spaces safe and enjoyable for everyone. We would value your opinion about the one that’s now proposed for the town centre.”

You can have your say about the proposals and what you think about anti-social behaviour in the town centre at www.redditchbc.gov.uk/TownCentrePSPO. Paper copies of the questionnaire are available at the Town Hall and the library.

The closing date for comments is midnight on Sunday 29th October 2023, and the borough council will consider all comments received before deciding whether to formally make the PSPO.