Spelthorne Borough Council has announced a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour.
A consultation held in November 2024 on proposals to give additional powers to the Police and Council in the form of a PSPO to deal with antisocial behaviour. This proposal covers antisocial use of bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, e-scooters, hoverboards and similar devices, use of face coverings such as masks, balaclavas and scarves, possession of catapults, slingshots or similar items.
The PSPO means that a person will commit an offence if they fail to comply with a request by an authorised officer to cease any of the controlled behaviours within the specified area. Breach of the PSPO could result in either a Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecution. There are certain exemptions to the PSPO, where for example a person is wearing a face covering for medical, cultural, or religious reasons, or using a catapult for a legitimate purpose, such as a bait catapult when fishing.
Chair of the Community Wellbeing & Housing Committee, Cllr Susan Doran, said: “Residents have told us that they want to see more action being taken in relation to antisocial behaviour and this PSPO will give the Council and Police more powers to tackle some of the behaviours that have become a problem in recent years. It won’t solve everything in isolation, but it will be another tool that we can use alongside existing measures.”
You can report problems with antisocial behaviour at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/report