Andy Munns
A second consultation is taking place on Salisbury’s proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) following initial public feedback.
The proposed order would be used to help prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the city. It would cover Salisbury plus the surrounding parishes of Laverstock & Ford, Quidhampton, Netherhampton, Wilton, Alderbury, Odstock and Coombe Bissett.
If agreed, the PSPO would cover two strands, the first relating to using items capable of launching a projectile, such as a catapult and the second addressing anti-social behaviour linked to street drinking in the city centre. If brought in, anyone found to be in breach of it could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.
The first consultation period ran six weeks between September and October, generating over 150 responses. The general feedback in the initial responses was for the order to be implemented but with some changes to the boundary area. After discussion with Wiltshire Police, the changes have been made, and the consultation will be open for further discussion. There are no proposed changes to the wording of the order.
Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “We want to thank all the people who took part in the initial consultation on the proposed order, and the response was generally in favour of implementing the proposed PSPO. However, we were also asked to amend the area that the proposal would cover. After speaking with Wiltshire Police, the boundary for the order has been amended and we would like to obtain more responses.
“We are also keen to engage with younger people aged under 24 years who were not very responsive in the first consultation; as well as speaking to groups and organisations who may be affected should the order be brought in for their views. However, anyone who missed the initial consultation is also invited to add their views as they wish.
“One of our most important responsibilities as a council is to safeguard our residents and businesses from harm, and we believe that the introduction of the PSPO in Salisbury and surrounding areas will help to reduce the current anti-social behaviour that is being seen in the city.
“Hopefully our residents can see that not only are we are taking anti-social behaviour seriously, but we listen to the feedback received in consultations such as this to make positive changes. Working together with Wiltshire Police, we are doing everything we can to make people feel safer.”
The second consultation will run until Sunday, 25th February, and any additional responses will be considered before the final decision is made.
To view the amended area, find out more about the proposed PSPO for Salisbury and to take part in the consultation, people can visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/5038/Salisbury-PSPO-Order.
Hard copies of the survey are also available at Salisbury Library or by emailing ASB@wiltshire.gov.uk.
