More powers set to be added alongside stopping drug taking, defecating in public and begging in city centre
Anyone who breaches the PSPO may be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice
Powers that enable City of Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire Police to tackle persistent forms of antisocial behaviour are set to be extended, with their renewal being considered by Cabinet next week.
Doncaster city centre is currently covered by a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which was first introduced back in 2017 and has been renewed every three years since then.
This measure places restrictions on a range of activities, including: antisocial begging; antisocial loitering; drinking alcohol in public areas; the taking of drugs and other banned substances; urinating or defecating in public; tampering with parking equipment, as well as returning to the city centre within 24 hours after being directed to leave by an authorised officer.
Anyone who breaches the PSPO may be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100 or could face prosecution, which may then result in a bigger fine of up to £1,000.
In a recent public consultation on the matter, residents and businesses provided their views on what should be included in the PSPO going forward, with the vast majority voicing their support for the order’s extension and for the preservation of all seven of its existing prohibitions.
In addition to this, respondents were also in favour of introducing a proposed eighth additional restriction that will address the antisocial use of amplified equipment in the city centre.
This new restriction would only apply where such activity is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and would not apply to authorised events, approved street entertainment or other authorised announcements.
Speaking about this, Councillor Gemma Cobby, Cabinet Member for Regulation and Enforcement, Planning and Safer Communities, said: “In recent years, the PSPO has enabled us to address antisocial behaviour, making our city centre a safer and more attractive place. It has delivered some proactive results, with our officers enforcing against 1,333 breaches of the order since November 2023 alone.
“We are making progress, however there is more work to be done. Our teams will continue to work together with the police to address the issues that matter most to the people of Doncaster, including antisocial behaviour and safety concerns.”
The PSPO renewal is set to be considered by Cabinet on Wednesday 12 August.