Plans for Public Spaces Protection Order in Trowbridge

Wiltshire Council is consulting Wiltshire Police and Trowbridge Town Council about the idea.

A PSPO is a rule that limits or requires certain behaviours in a public space to address a negative impact on the quality of life for those who use it.

The move is being considered following large gatherings of people on benches at the bottom of Wicker Hill, where street drinking of alcohol and anti-social behaviour was taking place.

The benches have since been temporarily removed while police and the two councils consider their next move.

Police and Wiltshire Council are considering whether to apply for a Public Spaces Protection Order to prevent large gatherings of people seen at seats in the Wicker Hill/Town Bridge area of Trowbridge (Image: John Baker)

Cllr Dominic Muns, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for public protection, said: “Wiltshire Police and Trowbridge Town Council recently approached Wiltshire Council’s Community Safety Team to discuss the process for introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), and what evidence would be required to consider proposals for Trowbridge.

“Introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, PSPOs can be introduced to give local authorities powers to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour impacting the community.

“Wiltshire Police and Trowbridge Town Council have suggested that a PSPO could be used to address street drinking and anti-social behaviour caused by groups of people in Trowbridge.

“The first step in the process is to understand the issues in Trowbridge, what the solutions may be, what a PSPO would seek to address, and to specify the area it would apply to.

“Work is underway to collate police report data and feedback to local businesses to develop this. We cannot start work on drafting proposals or a delivery plan until this has been done.

“Any future proposals for a PSPO in Trowbridge will be subject to a six-week public consultation. We are keen that this process is led by the evidence and the needs of the community.”

Sgt Charly Chilton parked a mobile police van at Wicker Hill on Friday, July 12 to deter anti-social behaviour by groups of people drinking in the street. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Police Sergeant Charly Chilton outlined details of the PSPO in an update on community policing at Trowbridge Town Council’s full council meeting on Tuesday, September 17.

She said: “Following discussion at a recent Street Safety Sub Committee meeting, I have recently held talks with local councillors and Wiltshire Council ASB Team about applying for a PSPO.

“We are seeking views from local councillors in relation to the PSPO application, the proposed conditions or anything else they wish to raise in relation to the application.

“Any comments can be sent to TrowbridgeAreaNPT@wiltshire.police.uk or alternatively councillors are invited to attend the next Street Safety Sub Committee meeting on October 1.”

The laws say councils must consult with the local police, community representatives, and the owner or occupier of land in the area before putting a PSPO in place.

PSPOs can remain in place for up to three years. Breaking a PSPO is a criminal offence and can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) or prosecution.

Sgt Chilton said police and the two councils are considering whether to impose three conditions when they make the application.

The first is not to consume alcohol or anything the authorised person reasonably believes to be alcohol; and the second is to surrender anything in his or her possession which is, or the authorised person reasonably believes to be alcohol or a container for alcohol.

The third condition would prevent gatherings and groups of two or more people at a specified location, when directed not to do so by an authorised officer on the basis that the gathering and/or remaining is causing, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to those in the locality.