This week (17th September) following consideration of the evidence and listening to the concerns of residents and local businesses, Ealing’s Labour Council Cabinet approved the making of a new borough-wide public spaces protection order (PSPO). This will give the Council and partner agencies greater powers to tackle behaviour having a detrimental impact on the quality of life of residents.
The Order introduces borough-wide conditions against problematic behaviours such as street drinking whilst engaged in anti-social behaviour. It also introduces conditions in parks and open spaces, six town centres and council managed housing estates to enhance public spaces across the borough.
Councillor Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Inclusion said:
“In our bold 2018 manifesto, Ealing Labour pledged to consult local people on a Borough-wide public spaces protection order (PSPO) to help us combat street drinking and antisocial behaviour, which we know have been a source of significant concern to residents. Over 1,400 people responded to our consultation, with high levels of support for a new borough-wide PSPO. I’m delighted that Ealing Labour has been able to deliver on another manifesto pledge by approving the making of a borough-wide PSPO. This will make a positive difference to the lives of everyone who lives, works or visits Ealing.
“I’m proud of the action Ealing Labour is taking to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in our borough, but successive years of Tory austerity has made our job harder. Tory cuts since 2010 mean we now have fewer police officers in our communities dealing with low level but disruptive antisocial behaviour like street drinking, and a lack of investment in the services that can help prevent these behaviours arising. We’re committed to campaigning for more police officers on our streets and we will continue to use our powers as a council, working with our safer community partners, to tackle anti-social behaviour and drug dealing so that residents feel safe.”
Notes to editors:
1. What is a PSPO?
A PSPO is a wide ranging power introduced under Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. It is a measure available to the Council to tackle behaviour which is having a persistent and detrimental effect on the local community’s quality of life.
The Order gives power to the Council to introduce reasonable prohibitions and/or requirements to, prohibit specific behaviours/ activities, and/ or require certain things to be done by people engaged in particular behaviours/ activities – these are known as conditions. The Order can be enforced by the Police and officers authorised by the Council.
Not complying with the Order when challenged and asked to do so by an enforcing officer is a criminal offence, and results in the issuing of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100 or be prosecuted which could lead to a fine of up to £1000.
2. PSPOs in Ealing
There are several PSPOs already in operation in different parts of the borough, including Southall Town Centre and West Ealing Town Centre. Following consideration of the evidence base gathered and listening to the concerns of people and businesses, Ealing Council’s Cabinet has now agreed to introduce a new PSPO to reduce anti-social behaviour in public spaces across the whole borough. The process for implementing the PSPO began on 18th September. In line with previous PSPOs, a review will be undertaken at six months.