Andy Munns
Wiltshire Council is considering the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order for Salisbury.
It could also include the surrounding parishes of Laverstock & Ford, Quidhampton, Netherhampton, Wilton, Alderbury, Odstock and Coombe Bissett, following reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the city.
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is a tool available in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which provides wide-ranging tools and powers for local authorities to help tackle anti-social behaviour. The Act allows councils to draft and implement PSPOs in response to the ASB issues affecting their communities, provided certain criteria are met.
In Salisbury, the proposed order is designed to address two issues in the city.
The first relates to the use of catapults, slingshots and similar items capable of launching a projectile which could cause harm or damage.
Following a similar PSPO being introduced in the Downton and Redlynch area in 2022, similar incidents are now occurring around Salisbury.
The second part of the proposed order seeks to address ASB linked to street drinking in the city centre, granting police powers to prohibit the drinking of alcohol or having open containers of alcohol in public places.
This is in response to increased street drinking and related anti-social behaviour witnessed by the police and city council CCTV operators.
The PSPO would not, however, affect those licensed premises with outdoor seating.
A consultation is now live for residents and business owners to provide their views and feedback to help establish whether the proposed PSPO is the right and proportionate action to take to help prevent anti-social behaviour in the city.
The consultation runs for six weeks until 30 October 2023, and all feedback received will be considered before making any final decision.
People can take part in the consultation at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/5038/Salisbury-PSPO-Order.
If following this formal consultation process, the PSPO is brought in, anyone found in breach of it may be asked to surrender the catapult or alcohol to the police and, if they do not comply, could be issued with an on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Following feedback from Wiltshire Police, parish councils and local residents about anti-social behaviour in the city and surrounding parishes, we feel it is an appropriate time to consider the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order.
“As per our Business Plan, we want Wiltshire to be a place where people are safe, and the proposed PSPO hopefully reassures the public, particularly those directly affected, that we take issues such as this very seriously.
“I want to encourage people and business owners to take part in the consultation so we can gather the community’s thoughts and feelings on the issue before making an informed decision.”
Inspector Tina Osborn, from the Salisbury community policing team, said: “We are always keen to work with local partners to address any community safety issues across the Salisbury area, and we’d be very interested to learn more about the views of local residents through this consultation work.
“Tackling anti-social behaviour is a key priority for us, and this PSPO could be one tool for us to use to crack down on these sort of issues.”
To find out more about the proposed PSPO for Salisbury and what is included in the proposed order, people can visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/5038/Salisbury-PSPO-Order.
