A LEGAL order giving authorities greater power to curb anti-social behaviour in most of Redditch town centre has been now formally enacted.
Redditch Borough Council has put in place the Public Space Protection Order, or PSPO, after consultation on the proposals.
The portfolio holder for community and regulatory services, Councillor Lucy Harrison, said: “This order means that authorities now have more ability to quickly tackle the kind of anti-social behaviour issues that many people have been concerned about in the town centre.”
The PSPO makes it an offence to refuse, when asked by a police officer or authorised council officer, to surrender alcohol, intoxicating substances and the items used to take them, or to refuse an instruction to leave the area for a period of time.
It gives authorised officers additional powers to quickly deal with anti-social behaviour within the area covered by the PSPO, by asking them to leave for a set period of time, confiscating alcohol and intoxicating substances, issuing fines, or if necessary making arrests.
The order was requested by West Mercia Police and followed concerns from members of the public, businesses, and local organisations over what was happening in the town centre.
Coun Matt Dormer, leader of the borough council, said: “I’d like to thank the police and all our community safety partners who have worked together with our team on this, which will provide that extra confidence for the community.”
Visit redditchbc.gov.uk/consultations for more information.
