Park plan to tackle anti-social behaviour under discussion
Proposals to prevent anti-social drinking in parks and open spaces are being put to public consultation.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, in conjunction with Staffordshire Police, is considering introducing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) across its parks and green spaces.
At the same time, the council is also consulting on renewing current requirements to keep dogs on leads in certain public spaces and for owners to clean up after them.
Gill Heesom, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's Cabinet member for Community Safety and Wellbeing, said:
Our parks and green spaces are for the enjoyment of everyone – and it’s fine for different people to enjoy themselves in different ways but I don’t think it’s right if the behaviour of a minority affects the majority and effectively puts these places out of bounds.
We know that some residents have concerns about anti-social behaviour in parks, including graffiti, underage drinking and rowdy behaviour and this consultation is designed to see whether people want us to address these issues.”
In 2022/23 there were 351 reports of anti-social behaviour in or immediately around parks, with a fifth classed as alcohol-related and 69 per cent categorised as involving young people and intoxicating substances.
Similarly in the same year, the council received more than 500 reports concerning dog behaviour, including complaints of fouling in public places.
PSPOs were recently introduced in Newcastle town centre and give police officers more power to intervene when people are being disruptive, which includes littering, abusive language, being in groups of three or more after being asked to disperse and having open bottles, or cans of alcohol.
Locations involved range from sports pitches and playgrounds to country parks and playing fields. The full list is here.
Gill Heesom added:
The consultation lasts six weeks and the more people that have their say – for or against the proposals – the better so that we understand people’s priorities.”
Consultation can be found at https://online1.snapsurveys.com/interview/f6ceb244-87e3-4337-8ce0-e1f028c47474