The Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) have been an essential tool in Operation Town Centres, the council’s plan to make all town centres safer and more welcoming.
Since their introduction in May, there have been 348 instances where people have been approached by council officers about their drinking in contravention of alcohol PSPOs in Torquay and Paignton.
There have been 23 occasions where council officers have issued notices to individuals under the dispersal order in Torquay.
The alcohol PSPO prohibits the drinking of alcohol in defined zones within Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
The dispersal order PSPO for Torquay town centre includes powers for the police and authorised officers to direct any individuals causing nuisance or disorder out from the dispersal zone and not to return for up to 24 hours or face enforcement.
PSPOs are a positive way to help prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB). This week is Anti-social Behaviour Week, when communities are urged to take a stand against ASB.
Two people have also been prosecuted for breaching dispersal PSPOs, with one defendant issued with a criminal behaviour order (CBO).
This CBO prohibits the individual from using threatening language or aggressive gestures and entering certain parts of the town centre. Breaching a CBO is a criminal offence and could mean up to five years in prison.
Council officers have also been issuing community protection warnings. When people report ASB, anti-social behaviour officers review it and gather further evidence. They can issue warnings for people to stop their behaviour.
If they don’t stop, they could be issued with a community protection notice. This is a formal notice that if not followed, can result in a fine or prosecution. Anti-social behaviour officers gather evidence over a period of time, much of which is supplied by members of the public who report ASB.
As well as issuing and enforcing the PSPOs, the council, in partnership with the police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, has been carrying out other activities to help keep communities safe.
The partnership has been encouraging retailers to sign up to StoreNet, a portable radio system designed to improve communication between traders and address shoplifting and ASB.
There are currently 70 businesses in Torquay and 58 in Paignton signed up. The radios are linked directly into the CCTV control room and the police.
It has also been promoting NiteNet, a radio system operating in the evening and night-time economy. Street marshals and pastors also carry them. So far, 61 businesses have signed up in Torquay.
There has also been a greater presence of uniformed patrols with five town centre officers spread between Torquay and Paignton and street marshals in both town centres on Friday and Saturday evenings.
There is also a new neighbourhood enforcement team, run by SWISCo, which has been set up to reduce environmental crime in Torbay, tackling nuisances like littering, flytipping, graffiti, flyposting and dog fouling.
Councillor Hayley Tranter, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “Six months after the PSPOs were introduced, it’s good to see they are being used and enforced where necessary.
“Our teams are using all the powers at their disposal to ensure our town centres remain safe places for everyone. I would encourage anyone to report ASB when they see it. This can help us build up a picture of what’s going on and provides vital evidence for further action.
“We’ve also got more uniformed patrols on our streets, which provides reassurance to residents but also acts as a deterrent to individuals intent on causing harm and distress to others.”
Inspector Ben Shardlow, who heads up the neighbourhood policing team in Torquay town centre, said: “The introduction of the PSPOs in Torquay has enabled our officers to take a robust approach to antisocial behaviour and street drinking in the town while on patrol.
“We continue to work closely with council officers to enforce the PSPO to deter and pursue those who look to cause harm in our community.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “ASB seems relentless in some communities and we all want it addressed so that we feel safe. I support any tool available to tackle ASB, including PSPOs.
“Together with initiatives like Street Focus: Torquay and hotspot policing we’re seeing real progress. Through multi-agency working and effective measures like PSPOs, we can create safer town centres where everyone can thrive.”
Find out more about Operation Town Centres and PSPOs
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