People are invited to have their say on proposals to give police and council enforcement officers additional powers to help combat anti-social behaviour in Daventry.
Daventry town centre is currently covered by a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which makes it an offence for someone to fail to surrender alcohol when asked to do so by a police officer, police community support officer, or authorised council officer.
Anyone who fails to comply can be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice, which may be reduced if it is paid early.
While the PSPO has helped reduce a culture of street drinking in the town centre, it is hoped that widening its scope will enhance the police and council’s ability to deal with different aspects of anti-social behaviour.
A 12-week consultation is asking people for their views on the current PSPO, as well as on proposals to expand it with a range of new offences, including:
Continuing to ride a bicycle when asked to stop by a police officer, police community support officer, or authorised council officer.
Continuing to busk when asked to stop by a police officer, police community support officer, or authorised council officer.
Continuing to park a vehicle or vehicles in a manner which causes harassment alarm or distress, when asked to stop by a police officer, police community support officer, or authorised council officer.
Continuing to run the engine of a parked vehicle when asked to stop by a police officer, police community support officer, or authorised council officer.
Behaving antisocially outside of a school when asked to stop by a police officer, police community support officer, or authorised council officer.
People can also have their say on proposals to expand the PSPO to cover the whole town, rather than just the town centre, and the potential to expand the range of organisations which are able to enforce the Order.
Councillor Daniel Cribbin, Environmental Health and Housing Portfolio Holder on Daventry District Council, said: “The current Public Spaces Protection Order has provided the police and our enforcement officers with effective measures to deal with anti-social drinking in Daventry town centre.
“However we are exploring what additional powers can be given to officers to help them deal with different aspects of anti-social behaviour. Please share your views with us, so we can develop appropriate measures to tackle these issues and make Daventry town safer for everyone to enjoy.”
People can have their say by completing an online survey at www.daventrydc.gov.uk/consultation or by requesting a paper copy on 01327 871100.
The deadline for comments is Friday 8 May.