RESIDENTS in Reading are being invited to share their thoughts on proposals for new powers for the council and police to tackle anti-social behaviour.
A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is being considered by Reading’s Community Safety Partnership to increase powers to clamp down on specific anti-social behaviours.
The move is intended to help enforcement organisations to improve quality of life for those in the community by restricting or prohibiting activities which can cause public significant alarm, distress, or harassment.
The proposals would see increased powers for Thames Valley Police in response to on-street begging; street drinking, when it is causing nuisance or disorder in a public space; anti-social use of e-bikes and e-scooters in public spaces.
It would also make it a council offence by those in charge of a dog to not pick up after fouling, or to refuse to comply when asked to place their dog on a lead.
It is proposed that these conditions, to tackle activities deemed to be of concern and growing within Reading, are set out in one PSPO that will cover the whole borough.
The PSPO would support the efforts of Thames Valley Police and Council officers to deal with these issues and take action against offending individuals when carrying out proactive work in the community.
One of the greatest concerns of residents currently is around the anti-social behaviour and nuisance associated with the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in public spaces.
Residents have consistently highlighted concerns on this to the Council, Thames Valley Police, Councillors and MPs, raising the issue at Safer Neighbourhood Forum meetings and through surveys.
The proposed PSPO would relate to e-bikes and e-scooters being used in an anti-social way in public spaces, giving the Police the power to use a more proportionate response in all circumstances which include e-bikes and e-scooters.
Thames Valley Police’s current powers of seizure are limited only to illegally modified electric bikes, and e-scooters used on the highway.
Without a PSPO, Thames Valley Police have very limited powers to enforce the antisocial use of such vehicles.
The council explains that although the proposed PSPO has attracted attention from law-abiding e-bike riders, it is worth noting that such responsible users have nothing to fear from such a PSPO, as their use of e-bikes contributes to the sustainable, responsible transport that Reading supports and seeks to strengthen.
The intent of the Community Safety Partnership in this PSPO proposal is a focus on protecting residents, including those who ride e-bikes lawfully, from those who ride them in an anti-social manner.
Many people do not realise e-scooter use is only currently allowed on private land.
Karen Rowland, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership and Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said: “I hope residents will take five minutes to complete our survey and share their thoughts around the proposed issues that this PSPO hopes to address.
“Street drinking and begging, dog fouling and proper dog control, along with the aggravated mis-use of mechanically propelled micro-mobility vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters are all issues that are increasingly upsetting residents.
“However residents need to understand that a PSPO is not a panacea to cure all those ills, but it is instead another very useful tool to allow officers the powers they need to halt the worst of anti-social misbehaviour that causes residents undue anxiety, nuisance or distress”.
Superintendent Colin Hudson, Commander for Reading Local Policing Area, said: “The proposed PSPO aims to support community safety in the borough by addressing issues highlighted by residents, businesses and visitors.
“If approved, the order would empower police and authorised officers to issue fines or take further enforcement actions where behaviour is found to be persistent and detrimental to public quality of life.
“This is not about blanket enforcement, it’s about setting clear expectations for public conduct, making sure our parks, town centre and transport hubs remain welcoming for everyone.”
You can have your say on the proposals by completing the consultation here before the closing date of September 7: reading.gov.uk/PSPOsurvey
