Latest news with #PSPO
BBC News
16 hours ago
- BBC News
Citywide crackdown plea to tackle Peterborough car cruisers
Harsher punishments for car cruising should be handed out in a city, local politicians want powers allowing police to issue fines for vehicle-related anti-social behaviour to be granted throughout this month, a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) giving police these extra powers was introduced at Pleasure Fair Meadow Car Park, south of the city Christian Hogg, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Peterborough City Council, said the "actual solution" to the issue was a "city-wide injunction". "Pleasure Fair Meadow Car Park acts as a magnet to bring these vehicles into town from all over," he said. "This was never going to be the solution."This PSPO, implemented on 19 July, allows police to issue £1,000 fines for anti-social behaviour associated with car meets. The force issued nine tickets on the first day of enforcement, the Local Democracy Reporting Service cruising can take various forms including authorised and unauthorised meets, which are associated with stunts, street racing and excessive noise. Independent councillor Julie Stevenson said introducing smaller PSPO areas risked shifting the problem from "place to place". "We need to push the problem out of Peterborough," she City Council's Labour administration said it would look into the possibility of a city-wide Jones, cabinet member for communities, said she was "aware" smaller injunctions could push car cruising to elsewhere in the city."We are also talking to some of the car cruising events people that put them on to try and work with them," she are other PSPOs in place in Peterborough, including one covering the city centre and another in Millfield, but these do not relate specifically to car cruising. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
ITV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Thanet Council threatens £100 fines for swearing in public after beach fights and town disorder
ITV Meridian's Tony Green reports from Ramsgate Fines of £100 for swearing in public are among measures that have been approved by a council in Kent as it attempts to crack down on public disorder. It follows a series of beach brawls and attacks on Thanet town centre. Councillors at Thanet Council have now approved a PSPO - a Public Spaces Protection Order. But the authority is being accused of exceeding its powers with the threatened fines for bad language, and critics include Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner. However, the leader of the council has called recent reporting on the order 'a mountain of nonsense' as they backed new plans to protect public spaces. At a cabinet meeting in Margate on Thursday evening, councillors complained of 'misleading' reporting about the new order. Labour councillor Heather Keen said: 'The importance of the PSPO, which has seven behaviours identified, has been overshadowed by the portrayal that Thanet is banning swearing. 'This is a disingenuous, inaccurate headline designed to grab attention. Let me be clear, Thanet is not banning swearing or preventing free speech. 'The reference to foul and abusive language only applies if it is causing harassment, alarm or distress to another person – not if it is casual swearing.' Cllr John Davis, Opposition leader, Thanet District Council (Con) An order was first brought in by Thanet in 2018, and similar orders exist in Canterbury and Dartford as well as elsewhere in the country, the meeting heard. Last summer, when the council attempted to renew and reword their PSPO, the proposal was rejected amid a threat of a legal challenge. They said that more work has been undertaken to ensure this is something their residents want. Within the report, the authors touch on concerns raised by Thanet residents, who said the current wording was too broad and may lead to young people and people from minority backgrounds being unfairly moved on or fined. There was also a concern that 'causing distress to others' could be used to target peaceful protests. Cllr Heather Keen, Cabinet Member for Communities at Thanet District Council, said: 'We've listened, and these measures are designed to reassure residents and set clear expectations around acceptable public behaviour in Thanet. "It crucially provides us with the tools to intervene earlier which we hope will successfully prevent situations from escalating. "The overwhelming support from local people, businesses and the police during the consultation process is evidence that these measures are welcomed. "Every year our residents tell us feeling safe is a top priority. "I'm proud to say that we've listened and hope this serves as a reminder that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated in Thanet.'
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Brits could be slapped with £100 fine for 'foul language' in these four towns
A council in the southeast has ruled to implement an order that could see fines handed out for 'foul' language in four popular seaside towns - in a bid to help residents feel safe Brits could face fines for up to £100 for using abusive language in four seaside towns in an attempt to crack down on anti-social behaviour. This week, plans have been approved for Thanet District Council in Kent to enforce a new public space protection order (PSPO) in Birchington, Margate, Ramsgate, and Broadstairs. Under the new rules, it will be an offence to refuse to stop using certain language if asked to do so by an officer. The language that is set to be restricted by the order is described as "foul or abusive language [used] in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to a person within hearing or sight, judged by the standards of a 'reasonable person'." The council originally tried to introduce the order in July of last year, but the plans never went ahead after it faced the threat of a legal challenge from The Free Speech Union, a campaign group. A spokesperson said: "The Proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was approved at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday 24 July 2025. The PSPO was put forward with the aim of reducing antisocial behaviour in Thanet's main towns, and is similar to previous PSPOs in place between 2018 and 2024. "They mirror the same restrictions in place across many other districts and boroughs, including in other parts of Kent in line with powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.' They said that there was 'strong support' for the proposals in response to the public consultation. The order will also restrict gathering in anti-social groups, misusing public places, excreting bodily fluids, consuming alcohol, consuming legal psychoactive substances, and causing humiliation or degradation. In Birchington, Margate, Ramsgate, and Broadstairs, there will be signs put up explaining the rules of the order. If someone is found to be breaking the rules, they will be spoken to by enforcement officers - but if the behaviour continues, they could be slapped with a fine of up to £100. At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, councillors said that claims from the media that the order would be a blanket ban on swearing were 'a mountain of nonsense'. Heather Keen, the Labour councillor, said these claims were "disingenuous, inaccurate and designed to grab attention". She confirmed that the order did not apply to 'casual swearing', the BBC reported. Commenting on the order's approval, Keen said: "We've listened and these measures are designed to reassure residents and set clear expectations around acceptable public behaviour in Thanet.' She explained that the order will provide authorities with 'the tools to intervene earlier which we hope will successfully prevent situations from escalating'. Keen added: "The overwhelming support from local people, businesses and the police during the consultation process is evidence that these measures are welcomed. Every year our residents tell us feeling safe is a top priority.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Thanet District Council passes abusive language crackdown order
Thanet District Council (TDC) has passed a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the of the order, which also covers tourist hotspots such as Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs, makes it a fineable offence not to refrain from using foul and abusive language if requested by police or a council a cabinet meeting in Margate on Thursday, councillors blasted recent media reports that the authority was trying to enforce a blanket swearing ban, calling them "a mountain of nonsense".Labour councillor Heather Keen called the reports "disingenuous, inaccurate and designed to grab attention". "Let me be clear, Thanet is not banning swearing or preventing free speech," she said."The reference to foul and abusive language only applies if it is causing harassment, alarm or distress to another person - not if it is casual swearing."It was also stressed during the meeting that such a PSPO is not new, one having existed in the area since is it unique, with similar orders existing in places like Canterbury and Dartford, along with other parts of the country, the meeting in August 2024 TDC's attempts to renew and reword their PSPO was met with threat of a legal challenge from campaign group The Free Speech Union, which cited concerns about potential human rights then put the proposed amendments up for public consultation, and Keen described the measures of the new order as having received "overwhelming support" from local people and businesses. "Every year our residents tell us feeling safe is a top priority and we've listened to that," she said.A TDC spokesperson added: "The PSPO will become into force following the required legal notice period and signs will be displayed at key locations to explain the rules."Enforcement officers will engage with anyone found to be committing antisocial behaviour in the first instance, with fines issued only if the behaviour continues."
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Brits will be BANNED from drinking booze at 6 seaside spots in new crackdown that could see you hit with £1,000 fine
BRITS will be banned from drinking booze at 20 seaside spots in a new crackdown that could see you hit with a £1,000 fine. The new ban is part of extended measures to protect the environment and combat antisocial behaviour. Advertisement 1 The new orders will preserve "the natural beauty and tranquillity" of Studland Beach Credit: Alamy Dorset Council has confirmed the extension of a range of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) which last for three years. The council said: "The PSPO's aim to reduce anti-social behaviour and enhance community spaces for everyone to enjoy." Those extended for a further three years include bans on drinking booze in public spaces, aggressive begging and feeding of gulls. The PSPO targets persistent anti-social behaviour that has a detrimental impact on others including possession, supply or use of intoxicating substances and the anti-social drinking of alcohol according to the council's website. Advertisement Read more News In addition to the extensions, two new PSPOs have been introduced including a ban on camping at Studland Beach to "protect this sensitive coastal environment". Anyone caught camping on the beach overnight will face fines of up to £100. An order forbidding the lighting of fires and barbecues had also been expanded to cover more areas of the county's heathland and forests to prevent wildfires. Councillor Gill Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Health and Housing at Dorset Council, said: 'Renewing our existing PSPOs means continuing the important safeguards that have been in place for several years—protections our residents have told us they value. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest Exclusive 'In addition to these renewals, we're introducing two new Orders: one to help preserve the natural beauty and tranquillity of Studland Beach, and another to protect our rare heathland habitats, which are home to some of the UK's most endangered wildlife. 'Dorset should be an enjoyable place for our residents and visitors alike. By working with our partners, these Orders help us to deal with a small minority of people who can spoil it for others.' Tragic Kite Surfing Accident at Portland Harbour Claims Life of Man in His 70s Breaking a PSPO is a criminal offence and you can be handed a £100 fixed penalty notice on the spot. And if you don't pay, you could be taken to court and fined a whopping £1,000. Advertisement The Dorset Council website says: "Issuing a fine is our last resort, where all other measures have not worked." Shaun Milton, Group Manager for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service welcomed the expanded fire-related restrictions, citing the devastating Wareham Forest fire in 2020 as a stark reminder of the risks posed by open flames in natural areas. 'We fully support these measures. Preventing fires before they start is the most effective way to protect lives, property, and the environment.' Forestry England also endorsed the move, stating: 'We've seen the damage that careless use of BBQs and campfires can cause. These new protections are a welcome step in preserving Dorset's forests for future generations.' Advertisement Earlier this month, Dorset Police revealed that it was deploying extra patrols around Bournemouth seafront as thousands were due to descend on its sandy beaches. The increased security comes after a A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was put in place for the coastline from Sandbanks to Highcliffe, and gave police the power to deal with people who were aggressive, urinating in public, swearing, playing loud music or lighting a BBQ between 7am and 6pm. Advertisement Officers also asked disruptive individuals to leave the beach, where necessary.
