A new power to stamp out vehicle-related nuisance and anti-social behaviour in part of Stamford has been approved by South Kesteven District Council.
The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) applies to the town's Station Road car park, also known as Cattlemarket, plus The Meadows and Bath Row car park.
It covers:
- Revving of engines that causes a public nuisance
- Sudden and/or rapid acceleration that causes a public nuisance
- Repeated sudden and/or acceleration that causes a public nuisance
- Racing by two or more vehicles
- Performing stunts that cause a public nuisance
- Sounding horns that cause a public nuisance
- Playing music from a vehicle that causes a public nuisance
Anyone breaching the order could be issued with £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.
It follows a series of warnings by Lincolnshire Police and SKDC, monitoring of noise, and a court prosecution for dangerous driving in the area, resulting from an incident where a deckchair was strapped to the roof of a vehicle for people to ride on.
SKDC’s Public Protection Head of Service Ayeisha Kirkham said: “These Orders help ensure that the law-abiding majority or residents can use and enjoy their local public spaces and remain safe from anti-social behaviour.
“They can apply to any public space and in these instances cover places where issues have been identified that may have a negative impact on people’s quality of life.
“New warning signs will be going up in the areas affected by vehicle nuisance. Anyone affected by this antisocial behaviour can call the Council during working hours on 01476 406080 to report it or Lincolnshire Police on their non-emergency line, 101, out of hours.”
More than 71% of those who responded to a public consultation supported the move to prohibit vehicle nuisance and anti-social behaviour in these areas.
South Kesteven Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Mark Hillson said: “Lincolnshire Police fully support the renewal of existing and the implementation of new PSPOs in South Kesteven.
"They are an important part of our joint agency tool kit to enable us to deal effectively with anti-social behaviour in our communities.
"We particularly welcome the additional PSPO for Vehicle Nuisance and ASB in Stamford which we believe will benefit many of the residents in the town.”
Other updates to PSPOs agreed at the Cabinet meeting included:
- A Dog Exclusion Zone Order for Stamford, amended to include additional enclosed areas on the Recreation Ground, to take in the bowling green, tennis court and the skatepark.
- Alcohol control areas in Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and The Deepings.
- Existing Orders relating to dog fouling, an issue which continues to prompt complaints.
The local community, parish councils and statutory organisations were consulted on the existing Orders as well as the proposed changes. There were 366 responses.
More than 78% said that dog fouling was an issue that bothered them; and over 95% agreed with the proposal to extend the current PSPO for dog fouling.
More than 43% had experienced dogs not being kept under control by their owners in a public space; and 75% agreed with the proposal to extend the current PSPO for dogs to be put on a lead when requested.
Around 55% agreed to extend the existing Dog Exclusion Order to include the additional enclosed areas located at Stamford Recreation Ground.
Issued as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, PSPOs can last for up to three years.
Existing Orders in South Kesteven require anyone in charge of a dog in a public space to:
- Pick up their pet waste
- Stay out of specified enclosed children’s play areas
- Keep their dog on a lead when asked to do so by an authorised officer
- Keep the dog on a lead in the enclosed area of The Spinney, Market Deeping
- Keep it out of enclosed play areas
Evidence to support the continuation of the existing Orders was gathered by SKDC Officers, reviewed and presented to Cabinet in a report to the meeting yesterday (Tuesday 10th October).