Latest news with #MerelRehorst-Smith
BBC News
04-04-2025
- BBC News
Crimestoppers offer reward to catch Guildford graffiti vandal
A reward has been offered to help stop a "spate of graffiti" in tagger Wormy has become so prolific in the area that Crimestoppers are offering £1,000 for a Facebook post, Guildford Council said: "Help keep our streets clean and safe!"Crimestoppers are offering a £1000 reward if you can help provide information that leads to an arrest and stop the WORMY graffiti around Guildford." Lead councillor for regulatory and democratic services at Guildford Borough Council, Merel Rehorst-Smith, said: "Graffiti has a negative impact on the appearance of our neighbourhoods."The cost of cleaning up these acts of vandalism can run into hundreds, even thousands of pounds."If anyone has information that can help to stop this spate of graffiti across Guildford, please get in touch with Crimestoppers."
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
New anti-social behaviour rules begin in Guildford
Using vehicles, including bicycles, skateboards, scooters and wheeled toys, in a dangerous way in pedestrian parts of Guildford town centre has been banned under new rules to tackle anti-social public space protection order (PSPO) came into force on Tuesday and will last until 31 March restrictions also include drinking alcohol in public after receiving a verbal warning from an authorised person, and behaving or encouraging others to behave in a rowdy and inconsiderate Merel Rehorst-Smith said: "Our goal is to strike a careful balance between protecting individual freedoms and ensuring our town centre feels safe and welcoming for everyone." Some of the original proposals for the regulations were changed after being opposed by University of Surrey students, according to the Local Democracy Reporting made amendments to the text, for example, to clarify that bicycles are not being singled out, after there were concerns that residents would be discouraged from using sustainable transport methods. The PSPO is an extension of a scheme which was introduced in Guildford in April town centre, Stoke Park and some neighbouring residential roads and the Mount area, including Black Cat Alley, near the bottom of Farnham Road, where there have been reports of anti-social behaviour, are areas included in the Blaine Rafferty, Guildford Borough Commander, said Surrey Police were working with the council to "make Guildford a safer place to live and work"."We hope that the Public Space Protection Order will help accomplish that, and we believe that a coordinated approach can make a significant difference in preventing anti-social behaviour and improving residents' quality of life," he said. With additional reporting from local democracy reporter Emily Dalton.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Council seeks views on changes to anti-social order
A Surrey council is seeking views on changes to a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which could see the order cover a wider area and be extended. A PSPO was introduced in Guildford town centre in April 2022 as part of efforts to combat anti-social behaviour. Guildford Borough Council is consulting the public on whether to extend the order for an additional three years and to widen the geographical area it covers. The council has also proposed amending the prohibited behaviours to be included in the revised PSPO, including restricting alcohol in public spaces and adding extra restrictions to rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour. Under the proposals, Black Cat Alley, near the bottom of Farnham Road - where there have been reports of anti-social behaviour - would be included in the PSPO. Merel Rehorst-Smith, lead councillor for regulatory and democratic Services, said the council wanted to know "how successful" the current PSPO had been. "By listening to our residents, businesses and visitors, we will be able to decide if changes to our current PSPO are needed," she said. The survey closes at midnight on 25 February. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Council to restrict tents, BBQs and taxi parking Anti-social orders stay in place after dog attacks Guildford Borough Council
