Green light given to renew and extend powers to tackle ASB

Proposals for the renewal and expansion of powers to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Darlington have been given the green light by councillors.

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was first introduced in the town centre in March 2019 to provide additional tools for police and council enforcement officers to deal with a range of issues across the town centre.

A consultation was held earlier this year on plans to renew the town centre PSPO and introduce a new borough-wide PSPO, and members of Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday (10 June) gave the proposals the go ahead.

The proposals will now go before full council, and if approved, the new PSPOs will come into force on 1 July this year.

The town centre PSPO will retain powers to deal with anti-social behaviour associated with alcohol consumption, threatening behaviour and begging in the town centre and introduce further powers to assist with the nuisance caused by feeding birds and the anti-social use of scooters, bicycles, e-scooters, e-bikes and skateboards. The area covered will also be extended to cover Victoria Road up to the railway station.

The new borough wide PSPO will give powers that will assist with begging that has been displaced from the town centre to other parts of the borough, the increase in stray dog issues and the ongoing issue of side waste across the borough.

Councillor Jim Garner, the council’s cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “Used proportionately and only in the right circumstances, PSPOs can enable local areas to try and counter unreasonable and persistent behaviour that affects the quality of life of residents, visitors and businesses.

“We will always try and engage with people to encourage responsible behaviour before considering issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN). These will only generally be considered when other means of addressing behaviour have not been successful, but we are prepared to do so in order to protect the public and businesses.

“We have taken on board the views of those who took part in the consultation, with strong support for the proposals, and the new PSPOs will help us tackle issues that are causing negative impacts on the town centre and the borough as a whole.”

Anti-social behaviour can be reported to the police on 101, or you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, or visit www.darlington.gov.uk/asb to report it online to the council.