Latest news with #PublicSpacesProtectionOrder
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Safer Streets initiative launched to keep Pwllheli safe
North Wales police and crime commissioner Andy Dunbobbin and deputy police and crime commissioner Wayne Jones visited Pwllheli on Sunday, June 30, for the launch of the UK Government's Safer Streets summer initiative. The initiative is backed by the Home Office and led by Police and Crime Commissioners. It aims to reduce antisocial behaviour and improve public safety through targeted action, with support from chief constables, councils, schools, health services, businesses, and other community organisations. (L-R) North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police Area Inspector Iwan Jones and North Wales Police Constable Gwion Morris (Image: Supplied) Mr Dunbobbin said: "The launch of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative and Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee provide an important opportunity to highlight the real impact that antisocial behaviour has on our communities, affecting people's quality of life and sense of safety, as well as the strong and much-needed support and investment we are getting from the UK Government. "My visit to Pwllheli during this national campaign demonstrates my commitment to working with local officers and community partners to address these challenges head-on. "It's encouraging to see the proactive approach being taken here, from the visible police presence to the partnership working and use of available powers to tackle persistent offenders." As part of the scheme, police forces will use £66 million in hotspot policing funding this financial year to target areas of concern and deliver visible, community-led policing. The initiative supports the UK Government's Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which promises to deploy 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs, and special constables in frontline roles. Pwllheli has already seen the benefits of neighbourhood policing, with officers addressing repeat offenders and working alongside housing providers and other agencies. The town is currently under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) through the Community Safety Partnership, which has led to a reduction in antisocial behaviour. During their visit, Mr Dunbobbin and Mr Jones met with North Wales Police area inspector Iwan Jones and PC Gwion Morris. READ MORE: First-ever Inclusive Dance Festival for North Wales to take place in Bangor Major work gets underway to revitalise Holyhead's main street and beloved pub They toured problem areas, including the PSPO zone, retail parks, and housing estates. Inspector Jones said: "We've worked to maintain a visible presence on the streets of Pwllheli, and this visibility is crucial for both community reassurance and action against those who disrupt others' safety. "We've already seen encouraging signs with a decline in antisocial incidents through our Public Spaces Protection Order and officers in the area will continue taking robust action against antisocial behaviour to ensure Pwllheli remains safe and welcoming for everyone."
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Wales Online
June 30 comes with a warning and there are risks if you fail to comply
June 30 comes with a warning and there are risks if you fail to comply The British public are being urged to check their local council's rules or potentially risk punishment for non-compliance People have been issued a word of warning over BBQs as temperatures are set to reach 33C on June 30 (Image: Getty ) As Brits up and down the country plan to gear up to make the most of the hot and sunny weather this weekend, there's one particular law that could potentially throw a spanner in the works for many if they fail to comply. According to the Met Office, it will be "mostly dry through the weekend, with sunny spells. Turning very warm for some, especially southeastern parts." Temperatures are predicted to reach highs of 29C on Saturday, June 28, climbing to 32C on Sunday, June 29, and potentially up to 33C on Monday, June 30. The sizzling conditions are expected to send millions outdoors to beaches and parks. One typical pastime many people in Britain enjoy when the weather heats up is having a BBQ. However, the team at easyfundraising is sounding the alarm to anyone planning to use disposable barbeques in public parks and council-monitored green spaces this weekend. All because of new council-led initiatives, meaning those planning on igniting the grill in public spaces could be slapped with £100 fines over the coming days. This warning comes as Brits only start to recover from the hottest day of the year last week, but according to WXCharts, another wave of high temperatures is set to bake the UK leading up to June 30. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber alerts across England, with conditions forecast to exceed 30C for most households. With temperatures rising, the team at easyfundraising is reminding everyone to be cautious and take note of the rules in their local parks and green spaces. The temptation to pull out the picnic blankets and snap up disposable BBQs will be hard for many to resist, but in some areas, it could result in an unexpected fine. Certain parks allow the use of BBQs, but many others don't Article continues below To curb excessive waste and harm to parks, councils are increasingly establishing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in green spaces. These rules often include strict rules against using disposable BBQs, meaning your picnic could cost you more than a trip to the shops this weekend. What is a PSPO, and what are the risks? A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is a legal tool that enables local authorities, in collaboration with the police, to combat anti-social behaviour in public areas. PSPOs are intended to address particular problems such as loud noise, public drinking, or aggressive begging by enforcing restrictions on specific activities within a defined zone. The goal of these orders is to make public spaces safe and enjoyable for all. PSPOs enhance the quality of life for residents by minimising or preventing antisocial behaviour in communal areas. They include particular prohibitions or requirements concerning behaviour in a specified area, like limiting alcohol consumption, mandating that dogs be on leads, or banning certain activities. A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) can ban barbecues in parks and public spaces PSPOs are sanctioned under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Violating a PSPO is considered a criminal act, which may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) or legal action. Councils must engage with the local community and police prior to implementing a PSPO. PSPOs can remain in effect for a maximum of three years and are subject to review and extension. Can lighting a BBQ in a park trigger a PSPO? A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) can ban barbecues in public parks and open areas to reduce fire risks and anti-social conduct. Violating a PSPO may lead to a fixed penalty notice (typically £100) or legal action, which could result in a fine of up to £1,000. Before having a BBQ in a public park, make sure to visit your council's website to understand the regulations regarding BBQ usage. While many parks across the country permit disposable BBQs in specific areas, some regions in the UK have implemented bans in recent years. Barbecues have the potential to ignite fires, particularly in dry conditions, which presents a serious threat to both public safety and the environment. BBQs can create noise, litter, and various disturbances, affecting the enjoyment of the park for other visitors. Article continues below The New Forest District Council, for example, put in place a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) due to ongoing fire damage and the threat of wildfires caused by campfires and barbecues. The council's order forbids the lighting of fires or barbecues and demands that people put them out and hand over any associated items.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- BBC News
Darlington bird feeding ban as part of council crackdown
Stricter measures to curb rising antisocial behaviour and feeding pigeons in a town centre are to come into force in Borough Council has updated its Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which allows the issuing of fines to people for being abusive or order, granted at a council meeting on Tuesday, is designed to give officers powers to tackle offenders without needing to arrest new restrictions will also bring in a public bird feeding ban, following public safety and health concerns from residents and businesses. The move follows a 125 percent increase in youth-related incidents reported to Cleveland Police, when comparing data from 2023/24 to 2024/ centre officers have reported a rise in people deliberately riding towards members of the public before veering off at the last moment, causing fear of injury and distress. Other problems are being caused by bikers, skateboarders and scooter riders performing stunts and riding recklessly on roads and in pedestrian areas, the Local Democracy Reporting Service addition, people are continuing to feed the "substantial bird population in the town centre", despite signs being put up warning them not to, thereby "contributing to multiple issues for the council, residents and businesses to manage." Adaptations to local buildings and birds of prey being flown have also been used as a deterrent against the pigeons. Meanwhile, the new PSPO, which covers all of the borough, will provide additional powers to combat begging, side waste and stray dogs.A council report stated: "A significant amount of support is in place for those individuals who find themselves homeless and in need of support."Officers will routinely make referrals or signpost these individuals to these services." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Metro
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Gran fined £100 for setting up a table in the street because it broke Asbo law
A grandmother could be left with court costs of up to £1,000 for setting up a camping table in a city centre. Heather Rawling was campaigning against council cuts in Leicester and had set up a 6ft (2m) camping table to hold leaflets and petitions. The 72-year-old was approached by a warden within around 30 minutes who ordered her to dismantle it – but when she said no, she was handed a fine. Heather was told the table was in breach of a public spaces protection order (PSPO), which are designed to reduce anti-social behaviour like street drinking, riding e-bikes, and using loud speakers. But the gran-of-one, a member of the Socialist Party, fears the additional rules against tables and other 'unauthorised structures' are designed to suppress freedom of speech and political campaigning. She explained: 'We were in the city centre and had a little campaign stall where we were protesting against the cuts by Leicester city council. 'I accept the PSPO can be needed to deal with people on e-bikes, noisy speakers or street drinkers. 'But this was a small camping table which we had for leaflets and so people could sign a petition. 'I firmly stood my ground as I feel this is an attack on people's rights to campaign. 'There are people up and down the county who do campaign stalls and tables everywhere. 'All I had was a camping table two metres long in a wide pedestrian area. I don't think we were in anybody's way. There was plenty of space. 'I was not obstructing anybody, I wasn't causing a nuisance. The council might think I'm a nuisance, but in terms of passers by and pedestrians, they didn't care at all. 'The warden asked me if I was aware of the PSPO and explained what it was and asked me if I was prepared to take the stall table down. 'He asked for my details and I was reluctant to at first. He even said he would call the police so I gave him my information. 'He issued me with a fixed penalty notice. 'I think this was political – we were asked to take it down because we were campaigning about council cuts.' Three days after the incident on May 31 Heather, a gran-of-one, received a fine of £100 in the post. She has vowed to plead not guilty and fight the fine in court – but she reckons she could be £1,000 out of pocket if she loses. She explained: 'The danger is if I lost in court, they could charge court costs. I am taking a risk, but I feel strongly about this issue. 'I'm not going to pay it on principle, and if I have to go to court, I will. 'All groups should have a right to campaign. 'The council issued the PSPO order that includes amplification, people on e-bikes and e-scooters. At the end of the order they've tagged on unauthorised structures like stall tables. 'We are in an era full of austerity and cutbacks and despite more and people getting angry about what's happening they don't want us to protest about it.' A Leicester city council spokesperson said: 'This group had put up a table, in breach of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that covers the city centre. More Trending 'One of our wardens asked them to take down the table and advised that if they didn't, they would be issued with a fixed penalty notice. 'They refused to take it down and so a fine was issued. 'The PSPO does not restrict freedom of speech, but it does restrict the nuisance of amplifiers, gazebos and other structures that more than 1,100 respondents to our consultation told us negatively impacted their experience of Leicester city centre. 'Many groups have been respectful of this so far and, as a result, the environment in the city centre is noticeably improved.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Trump likens LA protests to foreign 'invasion' amid attempt to block him from using troops MORE: Rioters throw petrol bombs and fireworks at police during second day of Ballymena riots MORE: Man found dead in a car outside Asda in Leicester
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Park equipment vandalised while under construction
New equipment at a park in West Bridgford has been vandalised while still under construction, a borough council has said. Wooden benches were graffitied and fencing was damaged in order to gain access to the site at Bridgford Park over the weekend of 24 and 25 May. Rushcliffe Borough Council said it was now increasing security patrols at the park while the work continued. Councillor Jonathan Wheeler, the authority's portfolio holder for leisure & wellbeing, said it was "exceptionally disheartening" that the features were vandalised before even being used. "We have worked hard with Nottinghamshire Police to lower anti-social behaviour in the area in recent times including using CCTV to identify culprits. "In the last 12 months police have also been engaging with young people that in some cases led to home visits to speak to parents and saw arrests of those who refused to curb their criminal behaviour," he said. Sgt Che Sands, from Nottinghamshire Police, said they took reports of vandalism at the park "very seriously" and they were working with the council to ensure high-visibility patrols were taking place routinely. "Bridgford Park falls under a Public Spaces Protection Order, meaning any anti-social behaviour or criminal damage offences will be dealt with by either criminal or financial punishment regardless of age. "We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in West Bridgford and continue our work to clamp down on it," he said. The council has urged anyone with information on the vandalism to contact them. The authority said the new features were still due to open in the coming weeks following a £300,000 investment. They include a new climbing structure as well as a "balancing trim trail, social hammocks and inclusive equipment". Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Play park vandalised for second time this year Anger over frequent closure of vandalised toilets
