AN order put in place as part of a major crackdown to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town centre has been reviewed to see if it is still needed.
A public space protection order (PSPO) was implemented following numerous repeat problems of yobbish behaviour in the town centre, particularly around Peel Square and the interchange areas.
PSPOs are designed to deal with problematic behaviour in a particular area and allow councils to introduce restrictions on the use of the area to make sure that people can enjoy the space, safe from anti-social behaviour.
The order was brought in across the town centre and some residential streets in 2016.
Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said the PSPO had not eradicated problems in the town centre, but it had had a big impact.
He said: “The PSPO effectively gives us the power to remove people who are misbehaving from the town centre.
“We have to review it periodically to see if we still need it, and that is the review which has been done.
“We will get comment on that before we make a decision as to whether we continue with it.
“It hasn’t eradicated all the issues but it has certainly had a big impact.
“We’re minded to say we want to keep it going but we don’t have comments from other agencies as yet. That’s the consultation part.
“We’re interested in business comments, as well as anyone else’s.”
He said a decision would probably be made next month.
When asked if the PSPO meant problems had been dispersed elsewhere, Sir Steve said: “That’s always the the danger with things like that.
“We’ve got to look at working with individuals and how services can support them and and try and avoid them getting in these difficulties in the first place. That is what the council and the other agencies are trying to do.”
Last week, the Chronicle revealed how an expansion of the order was hailed as a key reason behind a 40 per cent reduction in antisocial behaviour.
Following the success of the PSPO in the town centre, a plan to extend the measure to the nearby McDonald’s and Asda store on Old Mill Lane was adopted due to rising concerns from staff and residents who claimed they had been threatened by teenage perpetrators. Incidents including urinating and defecating in the street, intimidating and verbally abusing staff, open drug dealing and taking.
