Public Space Protection Order for Richmond Falls
Plans for an order to protect a Richmond beauty spot from anti-social behaviour look set to be approved next week.
Members of Richmondshire District Council’s Corporate Board will hear that there is widespread public support for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the Richmond Falls and Batts area.
The areas were blighted by anti-social behaviour last summer leading to marshalls and extra policing during the August bank holiday weekend, and extra closed circuit cameras installed to monitor the area.
Previous weekends had seen large crowds of young people leading to intimidation of residents, visitors and local businesses; verbal abuse; drunkenness and the consumption of drugs (both legal and illegal); aggressive behaviour; throwing of objects; foul and abusive language; and urinating and defecating in public.
As a result the district council, police and partners joined forces to create a task group to look at ways to curb the problem – and when local people were asked for their views on the PSPO, 570 responded positively.
The proposed order, which will initially last three years, will prevent:
- Behaving in a way, including by congregating in a group, that causes or is likely to cause harassment, obstruction or concern for safety to another person in a public place
- Threatening and/or abusing people within the restricted area
- Continuing to consume alcohol when required to stop doing so by any authorised officer
- Being under the influence of controlled drugs or other psychoactive substance
- Throwing objects which are liable to cause damage, nuisance, or injury to any person, animal or structure
- Lighting or being in control of a fire or barbecue
- Littering and the irresponsible depositing of waste
“A Public Spaces Protection Order will provide a means of controlling several anti-social activities having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living, working and visiting the Falls and the Batts in Richmond,” said Cllr Helen Grant, Chair of the Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership.
Corporate Board members will be asked to approve the introduction of the order next Tuesday (January 12)