[R]esidents and businesses in Eden District are been asked to have their say about new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) being proposed by the District Council, which aim to help control where alcohol is consumed in public spaces to help reduce anti-social behaviour.
A public consultation is being held about the new PSPOs which starts on Monday 5 February 2018 and closes on Friday 16 March 2018. The public can give their views by completing an online questionnaire at www.eden.gov.uk/PSPOconsultation (link to online survey will be active from Monday 5 February 2018). The Council is also writing to residents and Town and Parish Councils for their views in the areas where the new PSPOs could apply.
Eden District Council’s Deputy Chief Executive, Matthew Neal, said: “The District Council is working with the Police and other public agencies to ensure people can enjoy themselves safely and responsibly in our communities. We are aware of issues arising in certain areas of the District around the public consumption of alcohol which lead to anti-social behaviour. Introducing these proposed PSPOs to certain areas of Eden will offer the Council and Cumbria Police the measures needed to combat this.
“PSPOs were brought in as part of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. They are not a blanket alcohol ban and do not affect licensed premises. The new PSPOs would replace the existing Designated Public Places Order that covers the District’s four main towns and would be extended to include Long Marton, Brampton, Crackenthorpe and Shap. I would encourage local people to view the draft PSPOs and take part in the consultation to make their views known.”
The Council’s existing Designated Public Places Order, including the areas affected by it, can be viewed at www.eden.gov.uk Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, this order has automatically become a PSPO and will expire in 2020. However, the Council is wishing to include new areas within this Order and is consulting the public about this.
The enforcement of a PSPO is undertaken by the Police, Police Community Support Officers or Council officers. PSPOs are not intended to target any particular person, but apply to all persons whose behaviour breaches the PSPO and causes alarm and distress to others.
A breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence, and an authorised officer can issue a verbal warning and require that the behaviour stops immediately or issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100 or a larger fine on prosecution.
To take part in the PSPO consultation and view the maps of the areas cover by the proposed orders visit www.eden.gov.uk/PSPOconsultation (link to online survey will be active from Monday 5 February 2018) and complete the online survey before 16 March 2018.
To request a hard copy of the survey please contact Eden District Council on 01768 817817. The survey responses will be analysed and the results reported back to a meeting of the District Council’s Executive, where a decision whether or not to implement the proposed PSPOs will be made.
