South Kesteven District Council is taking a fresh look at powers that help tackle anti-social behaviour in public spaces.
Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are applied to defined areas where issues have been identified that may have a negative impact on the local community's quality of life.
Issued as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, they can last for up to three years.
In October 2017 PSPOs were introduced across the district covering dog fouling; dogs on leads; dog exclusion and alcohol control. These were renewed in October 2020.
The orders relating to dog fouling, alcohol control zones, the requirement for dogs to be placed on leads by order of an officer and excluding dogs from enclosed recreational and play areas have now expired. SKDC is consulting with the public to determine support for proposals approving new orders.
Cabinet Member for People and Communities, Cllr Rhea Rayside, said: “These orders are not about restricting the rights of those who behave responsibly. Rather, they provide a means of tackling persistent irresponsible and anti-social behaviour – the kind that can damage communities – by targeting the areas where these types of activity can occur.
“By letting us know your thoughts on our proposals, you will shape the approach South Kesteven adopts towards various types of antisocial behaviour, helping to tackle issues such as dog fouling and control of dogs.
“Your feedback will help us to identify where there are particular areas of concern, assisting the Council’s Neighbourhoods Team in determining where and when to focus its regular patrols.”
If approved, the PSPOs in South Kesteven would require anyone in charge of a dog in a public space to:
- Pick up their pet’s waste
- Keep their dog on a lead no more than one metre long when asked to do so by an authorised officer
- Keep their dog out of enclosed recreational and enclosed play areas
Another order being considered is in relation to alcohol control. If approved, people can be asked by an authorised officer to stop drinking alcohol in a specified area and hand over any open alcohol container. The order does not ban responsible drinking in public places – only drinking that causes a nuisance to others – and would cover Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and Market Deeping town centres.
People who fail to comply with a PSPO face prosecution and fines up to £1,000 or be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice.
For maps of the areas covered by the PSPOs please go to www.southkesteven.gov.uk/SKDC-PSPO
This consultation runs from Wednesday 20 March to Wednesday 17 April 2024.
To take part go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/skpspo2024