New powers to tackle 'nuisance drinkers' in Stratford-upon-Avon
New powers have been issued in a bid to to tackle anti-social behaviour in a popular tourist town.The district council and Warwickshire Police said they had received increasing reports from residents regarding criminal and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol use in Stratford-upon-Avon.They have issued a Public Space Protection Order which is designed to tackle anti-social behaviour in public places. Breaching the order could lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of up to £100. Police said it was not about stopping drinking in the town centre but about being able to tackle the anti-social behaviour.
Natalie Gist, portfolio holder for law and governance at the district council, said: "We've had increasing reports of anti-social behaviour in Stratford over the last three years. "Residents repeatedly tell us that they're quite upset about it and it's bothering them, and so we worked with the police and we thought it would be a proportionate thing to support our residents and our businesses to bring this order in."
Nick Longden who owns river cruiser restaurant 'The Countess' has raised the issue of anti social beahviour in the town previously.He said he could see why the measures have been brought in but also had his concerns adding it was putting a band-aid on a bigger problem."The problem is generally, we're telling people what they can't do, to try and get rid of a small minority of people who do cause the problem."
Ch Insp Simon Ryan, said the force was already hearing positive things from residents about the PSPO."Combined with other actions we take - including ongoing neighbourhood patrols - the PSPO gives us the ability to intervene early when we see behaviour that might escalate."It's very important to make it clear that the PSPO does not cover all street drinking, and this is not a ban on alcohol consumption in the town centre. The powers are just intended for those who are causing anti-social behaviour."
Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Prostitution-linked crimes on Scotland's streets rise for first time in a decade
The Sunday Mail took the streets of Glasgow's east end to gather accounts from current women still selling sex on the streets. Crimes related to prostitution on Scotland's streets have increased for the first time in a decade. Near Glasgow's Barras Market, Barrowlands Ballroom and the quiet streets behind Tennent's Brewery, women stand alone looking for punters who will pay cash for sex. These are the same streets where Emma Caldwell would stand 20 years ago and also previously the areas frequented by her killer Iain Packer. Punters in cars pull up and give the nod before cash exchanges hands and a sex act is carried out nearby for as little as £20. However, despite crimes associated with prostitution having fallen steadily by 81 per cent since 2014, the period of 2023-24 saw a 16 per cent increase, with 72 crimes recorded up from 62 crimes in 2022-23. The Glasgow City area also saw the highest recorded crimes with 44 per cent in 2023-24 according to the latest Scottish government figures. It comes as Packer was finally brought to justice last year – 19 years after killing Emma. The Sunday Mail took the streets of Glasgow's east end to gather accounts from current women still selling sex on the streets. We spoke to one mum, now 42, who began selling sex at just 15, and has worked as a sex worker in the city for 25 years. She said: 'I knew Emma, I was around Duke Street where she was working back then. 'I've been out here since about 1998 when I first tried heroin at 15. 'I don't want to be here but I have to be as I'm addicted to crack and cocaine. There are still guys out looking every night of the week but they want you for as little as £20. 'Emma's name still brings me to tears 20 years later. She didn't deserve what happened to her, she deserved so much better. 'She was a beautiful soul and in some way, we are all like Emma. We are out here because we have to be, not because we want to be. I remember Packer. "I will have been with him at some point as he was always about then. " Packer is where he should be but all these years on, the girls are still here, the streets are still not safe but there is money to be made. "When I was on heroin I would have sold my soul for a tenner. 'The only thing that could save me is jail. 'I'd rather be in prison than here.' A second woman, who says she knew Emma from the early 2000s, said: 'We all remember Emma. But we are still here doing this because we need to. There's still business or we wouldn't be here.' A third woman said she had only recently begun selling sex on the streets. She added: 'I'm just new to this, but I'm here because I need the money.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said:'There is no place for the commercial sexual exploitation of any individual in Scotland. 'We are taking action to support women to sustainably exit from prostitution. This includes our joint work with Police Scotland to implement their new national approach to prostitution, Operation Begonia, where officers signpost women to local support and at the same time, challenge and deter men's demand for prostitution.' Detective Superintendent Steven Bertram, lead on Prostitution, Police Scotland, said: ' Prostitution brings a significant threat of risk and harm to people and communities. 'People involved in prostitution, most of whom are women, are particularly vulnerable to violence. ' Drug or alcohol related issues, or poverty, can drive people into prostitution, particularly on street. 'Our approach, as demonstrated in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dundee, focuses on safety and welfare, engaging with people and signposting them to support available from our partners, and hopefully reducing the risk of violence. 'This is about building trust and confidence in policing. It's about safer communities and supported victims. And it's about tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Body found in reservoir after father and son fell into water
A body has been found in a reservoir after a father and son fell into the water and a major search was launched. The pair fell into Draycote Water in Rugby, Warwickshire, on Thursday afternoon, after their boat capsized. The teenage son was rescued by two members of the public. He was not injured in the incident. However, a major search operation was launched for his father, involving multiple police forces, fire and rescue services, and search and rescue services. A body was found in the reservoir on Friday evening. Warwickshire Police said it is believed to be that of the father. The force added that the death is not being treated as suspicious. Local Area Commander for Rugby, Chief Inspector Angus Eagles said on Friday: 'Our thoughts are very much with the man's family at this incredibly difficult time and I would ask that their privacy continues to be respected. 'Since yesterday, an intensive search operation has been underway that has seen a range of specialist search tactics and technology being used. I don't underestimate the impact this tragic incident, and the large-scale search operation will have had on local people and businesses. Thank you all for your patience and understanding while our officers worked tirelessly to find the man. 'Special thanks also goes to Warwickshire Fire and Rescue, Warwickshire Search and Rescue, West Mercia Search and Rescue, Avon Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police, and Severn Trent – all of whom have played an integral role in supporting our extensive search efforts.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Body found in search for missing dad in Draycote Water
A body has been found in a reservoir during the search for a man after a boat capsized. It is believed to be the man who fell into the water with his son at Draycote Water, near Rugby, on Thursday afternoon. The man's teenage son was rescued by two members of the public and was not Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious. An "intensive" search operation took place at the 240-hectare (600-acre) reservoir on Thursday, with specialist search tactics and technology used, said the force. An update on the search was put out shortly before 23:45 BST on Friday. Chief Inspector Angus Eagles said: "Our thoughts are very much with the man's family at this incredibly difficult time and I would ask that their privacy continues to be respected."I don't underestimate the impact this tragic incident and the large-scale search operation will have had on local people and businesses. "Thank you all for your patience and understanding while our officers worked tirelessly to find the man."Chief Insp Eagles also thanked Warwickshire Fire and Rescue, Warwickshire Search and Rescue, West Mercia Search and Rescue, Avon Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police and Severn said they had all played an "integral role" in supporting the extensive search efforts.A spokesperson for Draycote Water said it would remain shut on Saturday, having been closed since the incident. This includes the sailing club, fishing club and such as sailing and windsurfing are popular at the site, and it also attracts anglers. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
