Date:
Woking Borough Council has adopted new powers to help reduce antisocial behaviour within Woking Town Centre.
Responding to residents’ concerns of prolonged antisocial behaviour within particular areas of the town centre, where alcohol or substance abuse were found as an underlying cause, the council adopted a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) at its meeting of Council on Thursday 2 December. This follows a comprehensive public consultation earlier this year.
The PSPO places specific restrictions on the consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances, such as nitrous oxide, within Woking town centre, if asked by an authorised officer to stop.
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 gives local authorities the right to issue Public Space Protection Orders. The powers provide additional tools to challenge persistent and unreasonable behaviour that is having a detrimental impact on the community.
Failing to surrender any alcohol or psychoactive substance upon request of an authorised officer could be considered a breach of the order, which could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued or a fine of up to £1,000 on conviction.
The order does not prevent any member of the public from drinking responsibly within the designated area.
Cllr Debbie Harlow, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said: “Whilst Woking is generally a safe place to live and work, like all towns and cities across the country, our town centre can at times be affected by antisocial behaviour.
“The introduction of the Public Spaces Protection Order enhances our existing range of measures already used to tackle antisocial behaviour, helping to create a safe and welcoming town centre.
“It provides police with additional powers to deal with nuisance or persistent antisocial behaviour and act as a deterrent, which will have a positive effect on the community’s quality of life. These new powers won’t resolve all antisocial behaviour in the town centre, but it will help the council and police tackle the most persistent, unreasonable and impactful antisocial behaviour.”
The Order will remain in place for three years, after which a full review will take place with a view to a further extension, taking the views of the community into consideration once again.