Consultation

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