Plymouth car parks to introduce steps reducing ASB
It follows a consultation which launched earlier this year to hear the public’s thoughts on the car parks
Nine car parks in Plymouth look set to have new steps introduced to stop anti-social behaviour (ASB).
Cabinet look set to agree a proposal for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to be introduced in the car parks where significant reports of ASB have been made.
The plan originally was to cover six car parks, but this has now been increased to nine because of repeated reports of ASB incidents in Jennycliff and Mount Batten car parks.
The PSPO will cover the Regent Street, Theatre Royal, Colin Campbell Court, Western Approach, Napier Street, Mayflower East, Jennycliff, Mount Batten Pier, and Mount Batten Castle car parks.
It follows a consultation which launched earlier this year to hear the public’s thoughts on the car parks, and how safe they felt while using them, after reported incidents relating to alcohol and drug use, and public disturbance and intimidation.
The PSPO is designed to make sure people do not occupy, loiter or congregate with other people for any reason other than to park a car, motorbike or moped.
The PSPO will aim to crack down on anti-social and intimidating behaviour, such as people gathering or loitering, large car meets congregating and motorbikes racing and causing a noise disturbance.
Many of our car parks are regularly patrolled or have CCTV cameras, but the PSPO will give police and designated officers the power to move people on if they are causing a nuisance within these car parks.
To enact a PSPO, there needs to be evidence that the anti-social behaviour is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living or working nearby and that the behaviour is unreasonable and persistent.
One of the respondents of the consultation said: “As a woman alone, I loathe it when I see people loitering, drinking, shouting anywhere but in an enclosed space it's even more frightening.”
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “It’s no secret that some of our car parks are leaving people feeling uneasy and unsafe while using them, we absolutely do not want anti-social behaviour to continue, which is why we are taking action to put a stop to this behaviour in the car parks.
“Our residents and people who visit Plymouth should feel safe when parking their car.
“The results from the consultation will now help us move forward with the next step, we want people to feel safe when visiting our car parks, and the PSPO will help provide reassurance to our residents and visitors.”
Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of Plymouth City Centre Company, added: “This will be welcomed by our businesses and visitors and is a much-needed measure to make the city centre safe and more welcoming.”
The PSPO’s are expected to come into force in the next few months.