Coventry City Council has powers under the Anti-Social
Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to create Public Spaces
Protection Orders (PSPO’s)
We already have a number of PSPO’s in the City that are
currently operational and we feel they are ran well and do not
cause any nuisance to members of the public that are not being
problematic to others.
We have received a large number of reports and this is supported by
significant Police and other intelligence about an increase in
behaviours strongly linked to drug use and drug dealing. The
use of drugs is causing concern to many who feel uncomfortable in
using some parts of the City and there are also concerns about
young people becoming vulnerable to criminal and sexual
exploitation as a result of running up drug debts or being groomed
by those involved in the drug trade.
The police statistics show a very concerning picture of violence
and serious crime within St Michaels. We have seen just over 600
offences last financial year involving injury being caused by
violent crime. We have also seen a number of violent incidents
within the night time economy of the city.
Over the last financial year the ward of St Michaels had over 100
incidents involving knives, making the city centre a hotspot for
such offences.
It is proposed that in the designated area (map provided) Police
officers will have the power to request that groups of two or more
that are behaving in an anti social manner or in a manner deemed to
be detrimental to those that would otherwise be enjoying an area
will be asked to move on. To refuse to do so would be an
offence.
It should be noted that all Police officers now have body cams and
as such any complaints in relation to the use of this power can
easily be reviewed.
PSPO’s allow for agencies to better control issues that
currently are not provided for in legislation, or existing measures
are not considered effective.
Failure to comply with the PSPO would result in an individual being
issued with a breach notice. This breach notice will be
reviewed and may result in the issuing of a fixed penalty notice
(FPN). In the event of the FPN not being paid, it is the
Council’s policy to prosecute. Breach of a PSPO is a
criminal offence.
We are keen to receive your views on the proposed introduction of
this new PSPO in the City. To share your views please answer
the questions on this survey here
Closing date for this consultation is:
Friday 13th March
Should you wish to speak to someone about this survey or anything
related to the content of the consultation please contact
Liam.Nagle@Coventry.gov.uk
Find the Survey here
You can find supporting documents attached
Supporting documents