A clampdown on anti-social behaviour in Reading has gone live with the introduction of a new Public Spaces Protection Order.
Introduced in partnership by Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police, the order provides additional powers to tackle the specific anti-social behaviours that residents said they wanted to see addressed.
This includes enabling the council to take greater action on dog control and dog fouling, and allows Thames Valley Police an additional tool to deal with aggressive begging, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and the anti-social use of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Whilst the PSPO is intended to be a preventative measure, allowing enforcing officers the ability to request the behaviour be stopped before a breach occurs, a fixed penalty notice can also now be issued if an individual continues to breach the order after being asked to stop by an authorised officer.
This would be a fine of £100, as an alternative to prosecution, which carries a maximum fine of £1,000.
Police will lead enforcement for on-street begging, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and the anti-social use of e-scooters and e-bikes.
Council officers will enforce dog fouling and dog control breaches.
The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) will be implemented from today (Tuesday, March 24), following a three-week period of education and engagement.
Officers will take a measured and proportionate approach to enforcement including signposting vulnerable people, such as people rough sleeping or those with addiction issues, to relevant support services which are available.
While the council fully encourages the responsible use of electric bikes in contributing positively to the Climate Emergency by using sustainable travel, the PSPO will be used to protect residents from the behaviour of the small number of individuals who insist on riding electric vehicle transport in an anti-social and sometimes dangerous manner.
Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey), lead councillor for community safety, said: “We know from the consultation which took place last summer that residents are understandably demanding action on things like street drinking, dog fouling and the dangerous use of electric bikes and scooters. The introduction of the PSPO hands additional powers to both the council and our police colleagues.
“It is a really positive step for residents which hopefully provides some reassurance that we have heard their concerns and are providing officers the tools needed to act on them. In simple terms, this is about making Reading a more enjoyable place for everyone.”
Cllr Rowland, who is the chair of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), welcomed that more than 1,300 fines have been handed out for littering and flytipping for those who unnecessarily and selfishly impact the enjoyment of our open spaces for others”
She continued: “I want to reassure the responsible users of legal e-bikes that we fully support their use of sustainable, active travel around the town for the sake of the environment, and it is only those who use electric powered cycles or scooters in a manner that causes distress or alarm to others who will feel the effect of this PSPO.”
Inspector James Tribe from Thames Valley Police added: “The introduction of this PSPO will be a valuable addition to our efforts to keep the borough safe. It enhances and complements the powers already available to my officers, enabling a more agile response to persistent anti social behaviour that impacts our communities.
“By working alongside existing legislation, the PSPO strengthens our ability to intervene early and ensure that our public spaces remain safe and welcoming for everyone.”
PSPOs are a suite of powers that can be given to the Police and Local Authorities to address anti-social behaviour in a public space.
They are intended to be a useful and valuable tool for enforcement to improve the quality of life in communities by restricting or prohibiting certain activities which can cause the public significant alarm, harassment or distress.
PSPOs are specifically council-led with the ability to designate the powers to responsible agencies to enforce.
They focus on the identified problem behaviour in a specific location rather than on specific individuals or properties.
The legislation applies to everyone in that locality and breach of a PSPO without a reasonable excuse or exemption is an offence.
The CSP is a partnership between the council, the police, the Probation Service, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the NHS and other critical partners to ensure crime and disorder is tackled effectively and to make Reading a safer place for those who live in, work in, or visit the town.
