Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)

Walton-on-Thames Town Centre

PSPO Extension to 28th February 2021

Repeated reports of anti-social behaviour in Walton-on-Thames Town Centre to Surrey Police were seen by the Council as having, or likely to have, a detrimental effect on the community’s quality of life.

As a result, Elmbridge Borough Council implemented a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for a specified area of Walton-on-Thames, which came into force on 1 March 2018. Since the introduction of the PSPO, there has been a 29% reduction in reported incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Following its success to date, Elmbridge undertook a public consultation on extending the PSPO for a further two years, where over 400 responses were received. Of the responses received, 99% were in favour of the order being extended for a further 2 years until 28 February 2021.

The PSPO enables Elmbridge Borough Council to impose restrictions in a particular area with the aim of stopping individuals, or groups, committing anti-social behaviour in public spaces. Since the introduction of the PSPO, recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour in Walton Central have reduced significantly.

Between April 2018 and December 2018, there have been 180 recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour by Surrey Police. This equates to 74 fewer recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour between April 2018 and December 2018 (inclusive) compared to the same period in the previous year.

This includes a reduction in rowdy, inconsiderate behaviour. However, there have been minor increases in reported incidents of street drinking and drug litter respectively.

At this time, no warning letters or fines have been issued.

Councillor Andrew Burley, Portfolio Holder for Community and Social Affairs says, “Part of the process for implementing a PSPO required public consultation on the proposed restrictions and requirements.

Elmbridge received overwhelming support from residents, businesses and other stakeholders for the order which has been successful in reducing reports of rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour, and concerns about intimidating groups, substance misuse, and graffiti, whilst also improving feelings of safety for residents, shoppers and visitors generally.

It was resolved by Cabinet in February 2019. We have established some regular youth outreach work in the town and a boxing club has now started at Walton Youth Centre.”

Borough Commander, Inspector Dallas McDermott says, “Recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour in the Borough are in reduction compared to this time last year. Incidents in Walton-on-Thames have shown marked improvement in particular. We will continue to work in close partnership with the Council and other agencies to ensure that improvements continue to be made.”

An extension to the existing Public Spaces Protection Order comes into force on 1 March 2019 and will be in place until 28 February 2021.

PSPO Update 7th January 2019

On the 1st of March last year a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) came into force in Walton-on-Thames Town Centre.

Repeated reports of anti-social behaviour in Walton-on-Thames Town Centre led to the Council’s belief that this is detrimental to the quality of life of the local community.

These included reports of substance misuse, underage drinking, and sexual activity, which led to assaults, criminal damage and racially motivated crime and robbery.

As part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a PSPO allows local authorities to deal with nuisances or problems in a defined area that are considered to be detrimental to a community’s quality of life.

As a result, Elmbridge Borough Council implemented a PSPO for a specified area of Walton-on -Thames, which came into force on 1 March 2018.

The PSPO enabled Elmbridge Borough Council to impose restrictions in a particular area with the aim of stopping individuals, or groups, committing anti-social behaviour in public spaces.

A PSPO typically remains in place for one year from the commencement date which means it is set to expire at midnight on 28 February 2019.

 

PSPO extension consultation

Residents are being asked for their views on a two year extension to the existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Walton-on-Thames Town Centre.

Elmbridge Borough Council is considering extending the PSPO in Walton-on-Thames Town Centre for an additional two years with the existing restrictions and requirements which would see the PSPO being in place until 28 February 2021.

The PSPO enables Elmbridge Borough Council to impose restrictions in a particular area with the aim of stopping individuals, or groups, committing anti-social behaviour in public spaces.

Since the introduction of the PSPO, recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour in Walton Central have reduced significantly.

Since April 2018, there have been 180 recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour by Surrey Police.

This equates to 74 fewer recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour between April 2018 and December 2018 (inclusive) compared to the same period in the previous year.

This includes a reduction in rowdy, inconsiderate behaviour.

However, there have been minor increases in reported incidents of street drinking and drug litter respectively. At this time, no warning letters or fines have been issued.

Councillor Andrew Burley, Portfolio Holder for Community and Social Affairs says, “In order to ensure that the PSPO is fit for purpose, and considers the needs and freedoms of all residents, the Council will be consulting with those living in the PSPO area, as well as discussing with stakeholders such as Surrey Police and the County Council.”

Residents in the PSPO area will receive a letter this week about the proposal for an extension to the PSPO.

Local businesses and visitors to the area are also invited to comment on the proposal by emailing communitysafety@elmbridge.gov.uk.

The deadline for comments is midnight on 20 January 2019.

 

Locations Affected

[col-lg-6]
ASHLEY PARK
BRIDGE CLOSE
BRIDGE STREET
CHURCH STREET
CHURCHFIELD ROAD
DREWITTS COURT CAR PARK
ELMGROVE RECREATION GROUND
ESHER AVENUE
FIR CLOSE
HEPWORTH WAY
HIGH STREET
HIGHFIELD ROAD
HURST GROVE
KINGS CLOSE
[/col-lg-6]

[col-lg-6]
KINGS ROAD (PART)
MANOR ROAD (PART)
MOUNT FELIX
NELSON CLOSE
NEW ZEALAND AVENUE
RIVER MOUNT
ROYSTON CLOSE
SANDY WAY
SIDNEY ROAD
TERRACE ROAD
THAMES STREET
THE RIDGEWAY
THE TOWPATH
WELLINGTON CLOSE
WINCHESTER ROAD
[/col-lg-6]

Prohibited Behaviours

The list below outlines the prohibited behaviours that are addressed as part of the PSPO.

1. Persons shall not within restricted areas:

Continue to drink alcohol when asked to stop by an Authorised Person: or

Fail to surrender any alcohol in their possession when asked to do so by an Authorised Person.

2. Persons shall not within restricted areas:

Continue to ingest, inhale, inject, smoke or otherwise use psychoactive substances when asked by an Authorised Person to stop; or

Fail to surrender any psychoactive substance in their possession when asked to do so by an Authorised Person.

3. Persons shall not within restricted areas:

Fail to comply with a request by any Authorised Person to leave an area as behaviour is likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress.

The PSPO means that a person will commit an offence if they fail to comply with a request by an authorised officer to cease any of the controlled behaviours within the specified area (see map below).

Breach of the PSPO could result in either a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued, or prosecution.

In simple terms, the PSPO will allow Surrey Police and Elmbridge Borough Council the ability to tackle the on-street use of psychoactive substances, alcohol and behaviour that is perceived to cause harassment, alarm and distress within the designated area.

Restrictions around alcohol do not apply within licensed premises.

Residents in the PSPO area will receive a letter this week about the proposal for an extension to the PSPO.

Local businesses and visitors to the area are also invited to comment on the proposal by emailing:  communitysafety@elmbridge.gov.uk.

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