In a welcome move to tackle anti-social behaviour in our Town Centres, Torbay Council has published proposals to introduce tough new powers to deal with street drinking and anti-social behaviour.
These proposals follow feedback from residents and business, plus a new enforcement approach being taken by the Conservative Leadership of Torbay Council to finally deal with the issues many people have raised. This work is alongside moves to get underway the physical regeneration projects needed and investment proposed for the next financial year into services such as street cleaning.
The proposed changes replace an ill-thought-out order put in place 3 years ago, under the then Lib Dem\Independent Coalition Administration of Torbay Council, which required anti-social behaviour to also be witnessed to stop someone drinking alcohol on the street. Unsurprisingly few would misbehave with a Police Officer present, so a street drinking problem which had been dealt with many years ago has returned to locations such as Castle Circus.
A further new PSPO is being proposed covering Torquay Town Centre, plus Torre Shops and Lucius Street, will introduce powers to help challenge people involved in anti-social behaviour, nuisance, or disturbance. The new dispersal powers PSPO is proposed to include powers for the Police, and authorised officers, to direct any individuals causing nuisance or disorder out from Torquay Town Centre dispersal zone and not to return for up to 24 hours or face enforcement.
Under the conditions of all the PSPOs, someone can receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of up to £100 if they fail to follow the orders’ conditions and the instructions of enforcement officers. The PSPOs are proposed to commence in spring 2024 to cover a three-year period to 2027.
Torbay MP Kevin Foster said: "I welcome this latest move by the Conservative Leadership of Torbay Council to tackle the issues regularly raised by residents and traders about anti-social behaviour in our Town Centres. I would urge everyone who is keen to see our Town Centres move forward to take part in the consultation on the three proposed PSPOs."
The consultation can be found on Torbay Council’s website by following this link:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/consultations/
It will close at midnight on Tuesday 27 February 2024.
