Public alcohol ban still necessary in five South Hams towns
Orders are currently in place across eight towns and villages and they are set to run out soon
A public alcohol consumption ban in three parts of the South Hams could be revoked by councillors next week.
South Hams District Council currently has Alcohol Public Space Protection Orders in place across eight towns and villages, with the existing orders set to run out soon.
But while the council’s executive committee when they meet on Thursday, July 8, are recommended to renew five of them, for three areas, officers have said that they should be allowed to expire.
Restrictions which can the drinking of alcohol in designated public areas of Totnes, Dartmouth, Ivybridge, Salcombe, and Kingsbridge are recommended to be renewed, but in Modbury, South Brent, and Woolwell, it is recommended that no Alcohol Orders are made as at this time as there is insufficient evidence to justify them.
The PSPOs deal with potential anti-social behaviour in an area, which could have a harmful effect on the quality of life for those in the local community, but in order to apply a Public Space Protection Order, the Council must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that in doing so, it is necessary to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of the activities identified or an increase in the frequency or seriousness of those activities.
Louisa Daley, community safety specialist, in her report to the executive, said that while there was enough evidence presented to justify the orders for Totnes, Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Dartmouth and Ivybridge, the same wasn’t the case for Modbury, South Brent, and Woolwell, based on the responses from the neighbourhood policing teams.
THE POLICE TEAM RESPONSES
DARTMOUTH
Having a PSPO in place is a particularly useful tool for officers here. Not every incident is recorded where the PSPO has been used, but it is used as more of a preventative tool before other police powers could come into play. Anti -Social Behaviour (ASB) is not an offence but it can quickly escalate into one.
The location of the PSPO is of great importance as they cover areas in Dartmouth that have a high volume of people living, using, visiting and working in the area, therefore the consumption of alcohol linked to ASB does have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality
Dartmouth is renowned for having a busy and vibrant night- time economy but unfortunately that comes with problems. This year we have seen several very serious incidents which involve Grievous Bodily Harm and a death. I would support the proposed Alcohol related PSPO in the suggested area.
IVYBRIDGE
There is data in support of the continuance of a PSPO for the centre of Ivybridge, which includes Fore Street, the busiest commercial street in Ivybridge, home to a number of Licensed Premises. The area also contains three Supermarkets that sell alcohol where persons can purchase and begin drinking as soon as they have left the store. They don’t always hang around in Fore Street, hence other logs in the immediate area and nearby parks.
KINGSBRIDGE
There are many reports relating to instances of ASB. It is reasonable to state that many of the incidents will be alcohol related, where alcohol consumed in the pubs or elsewhere. The no drinking restriction is publicised with signage and is fairly well known throughout the town.
Without the PSPO I have no doubt that we will see a rise in street drinking at some point, be it vagrants travelling through or youth. The PSPO is required to give officers the tools to deal with street drinking in this area that is frequented by shoppers, families etc
SALCOMBE
Clearly given the events of this summer gone, which are supported by the stats and the reports that came out from the “Street Marshal Patrols” and our overtime patrols the powers were used this year and I think we can support the renewal of the PSPO for Salcombe.
TOTNES
Totnes in my opinion has a clear need for the PSPO to remain in force. It has a street attached population, night time economy, youth community and high public footfall. The number of incidents which could be attributed, exacerbated or aggravated by alcohol consumption is high.
There is a clear Policing need and direct public benefit from the maintenance of the PSPO in Totnes, it provides Officers with additional powers at their disposal to minimise harassment, alarm, distress and harm to our communities.
MODBURY
Having worked in this area for the last ten years in the response function, five of those as a Sgt, and the last year as the Neigbourhood Team Leader I have a decent overview of what is actually reported across the area. I see no demand for renewing this PSPO.
I can stated with 99 per cent certainty that the PSPO powers have not had occasion to be used in my time here as NTL, probably the five years before that and am certainly not aware of any issues in the areas covered in the last 12 months.
SOUTH BRENT
South Brent has an expected far smaller number of incidents and resultant crimes (than Totnes.) There are not the contributory factors that Totnes has, therefore, from a policing point of view, the loss of the PSPO from South Brent would not be as sorely missed as it would be in Totnes, there would always be alternative methods of ‘disposal’ in a town like South Brent.
WOOLWELL
The Data does not support the reintroduction of a PSPO, although we can never truly quantify what effect it has had as a deterrent. There appear to be no assaults or other crimes linked to ASB and with regards to Woolwell, I do not believe a PSPO is necessary
The PSPO gives the Police and other designated officers additional powers within the designated areas to tackle street drinking where it is causing problems to people in that area. People who breach the order could receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100. Failure to pay could result in court proceedings.
The executive, when they meet on Thursday, July 8, are recommended to approve the PSPOs for Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Ivybridge and Salcombe, but not renew the orders for South Brent, Modbury and Woolwell.