Fines considered to to tackle street drinking and public urination in Ramsey town centre
Breaching the order could result in a £100 fine
Fines are being considered under plans to tackle anti-social behaviour in Ramsey, including street drinking, public urination and defecation.
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is proposed to be introduced in the centre of the town along Great Whyte.
The order would mean people could face fines if they breach the restrictions put in place under the PSPO.
Councillors at Huntingdonshire District Council will be asked to consider the proposed PSPO at a licensing and protection committee meeting next week (October 16).
A report published ahead of the meeting said anti-social behaviour in Great Whyte was causing “alarm, harassment and distress” to people in the area.
The report said this included public intoxication, substance misuse, public urination and defecation, and intimidating behaviour to people and businesses in the area.
From the end of February to the end of August this year police received 32 reports of incidents in Great Whyte, 24 of which were in relation to street drinking.
Under the proposed PSPO people would not be allowed to have an open vessel of alcohol or another intoxicating substance.
People would also breach the order if they used a narcotic substance, urinated or defecated in public, or acted in an intimidating way, such as aggressively shouting at people, or harassing people in the street.
Breaching the order could result in a £100 fine, or prosecution at court, which has a maximum penalty of £1,000.
The report said: “Members of the public living and visiting the area of Ramsey Great Whyte, including the areas of Mews Close (including the car park), New Road and Newton Green have experienced persistent and unreasonable anti-social behaviour which is having a detrimental effect on those in the locality.
“Reported behaviours include public intoxication (drugs and alcohol), public urination/defecation and intimidating behaviour.
“The proposed prohibitions intend to be used as an enforcement tool by police and the district council against perpetrators of anti-social behaviour in the area, act as a deterrent from the behaviour, and improve the feelings of safety experienced by members of the public.”
A public consultation held to gather views on the proposed order received 328 responses, with 318 people in support and only three people against.
Some in support said they thought the proposed order would be “fantastic” claiming that “anti-social behaviour is ruining the town”.
Others said they were glad the issues were “being taken seriously”, adding that they “actively avoid the centre of Ramsey due to the regular drunks sitting there”.
However, some concerns about the proposal were raised, including that the order could push the anti-social behaviour into other parts of the town.
One person said: “I have concerns that with the order in place it may push the issues and reasons for the order further out to other parts of Ramsey and surrounds, what confidence can you give us this will not happen and what will you put in place to mitigate that possible issue and ongoing.”
Councillors will be asked to consider the report and consultation responses before making a decision on whether to approve the proposed PSPO in Ramsey.