People could be fined for carrying out anti-social behaviour in Swindon town centre and Broadgreen if a new order is implemented by Swindon Borough Council.
Riding e-bikes and e-scooters are among the activities the Council and Wiltshire Police want to ban as part of a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
Making the town centre a safer and welcoming place for shoppers and visitors is a key priority for the Council as it progresses its plans to rejuvenate the area through its ‘Heart of Swindon’ vision.
Councillors have outlined their commitment to working with the police to tackle incidents of disruptive behaviour from a small number of individuals, which have had a significant negative impact on both the perception of the area and the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
Wiltshire Police, working with the Council, has carried out targeted operations and provided additional resources to tackle the issues with enforcement taken against the most prolific offenders. However, there is a need for a more efficient and effective approach.
As a result, the Council is considering the introduction of a PSPO which would allow both Wiltshire Police and officers from the Council to tackle anti-social behaviour by providing legal powers to ban specific actions within the town centre and surrounding areas.
PSPOs were introduced as part of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and are primarily aimed at changing and improving behaviour.
Alongside preventing the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in the area, other restrictions include banning street drinking, urinating in public and the use of a pedal bike that is considered to be of danger to pedestrians.
Enforcement of the PSPO would be carried out by Wiltshire Police and designated Swindon Borough Council officers. Evidence to support officers would be gathered through witnessing the offences being carried out, CCTV footage, or body camera footage. Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) would then be issued to anyone found in breach of the restrictions outlined in the PSPO, with fines of up to £100 handed out on the spot, any alcohol confiscated and further summary convictions which could result in a fine of up to £500.
A consultation is now live for residents to provide their views and feedback to help establish whether the proposed PSPO is the right action to take to help prevent anti-social behaviour in the town centre. The consultation will run for three weeks until Monday, 17 March at 5pm. All feedback received will be considered before a final decision is made. Residents can take part in the consultation on the Lets talk Swindon website.
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “As a council we have big plans to improve our town centre through the ‘Heart of Swindon’ vision, but if we are to create a more pleasant and welcoming environment for shoppers and visitors we have to tackle the anti-social behaviour which is having such a negative impact on the local area.
“Following feedback from residents and business owners, the restrictions in the PSPO aim to clamp down on certain behaviours which are being carried out by a minority of people. We’re committed to ensuring that our residents feel safe and supported.
“I would encourage people to let us know their thoughts on the draft PSPO, via the ‘Let’s talk Swindon’ website, so we can gather a range of views before making an informed decision.”
Inspector David Tippetts, Swindon Neighbourhood Central South, said: “It’s important that people feel safe as well as a sense of pride in Swindon and its town centre and a PSPO would help rebuild this. It would give us an additional tool to manage any form of anti-social behaviour and so should help make Swindon a better place in which to live and work.
“Also, a PSPO would make it easier for us, and our partners at the Council, to enforce measures designed to prevent issues and anti-social behaviour which is unfortunately often carried out by just a minority of people.”