Cabinet set to decide on anti-social behaviour crackdown

A proposal aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour in Darlington town centre is set to go to Cabinet for a decision next week.

Darlington Borough Council is considering introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) – a positive measure enabling the police to deal with anti-social behaviour, particularly around the seating area near the Boot and Shoe pub and entrance to St Cuthbert’s Church yard.

A public consultation began at the beginning of September for 12 weeks, closing at the end of November.  The majority of responses to the consultation were in support of the introduction of a PSPO.

Graham Hall, the council’s Head of Community Safety, said: “Anti-social behaviour in the town centre is something the public have told us is an important priority to crack down on.

“We want to make sure people feel safe coming into Darlington and to make the town centre as welcoming as it can be.

“Examples of anti-social behaviour include begging and alcohol-related disorder.

“A PSPO is not simply a blanket ban on certain activities in a certain area. Instead, it is a positive measure that enables the police and other designated officers to deal more effectively with disorder, for example by confiscating alcohol from adults.”

Cabinet meets at 5:00pm on Tuesday 5th February in Committee Room No. 2 at the Town Hall.  Everyone is welcome to attend.