Gloucestershire Echo

Anti-social behaviour Authoritie­s could step up measues at hot spot

- Facebook @Gloslive online Robin JENKINS robin.jenkins@reachplc.com

MORE action could be taken to deal with continued antisocial behaviour at a borough council-run car park in Cheltenham.

In July last year, residents living close to the Town Centre East site, in Grosvenor Terrace, said they were worried about it being a hot-spot for teenagers gathering and sometimes even scaling the walls and climbing down.

The council said it was looking at installing additional security measures such as enhanced CCTV and increasing foot patrols.

Now the council and police say continuing problems there have led them to consider taking another measure but they want to hear people’s views on it.

Officials are looking at putting a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place.

PSPOS were introduced in the Antisocial Behaviour Crime & Policing Act 2014. They aim to deal with particular nuisance or similar problems that have a negative impact on the local community’s quality of life, by imposing conditions on the use of that area. This can include anything from littering to antisocial behaviour such as graffiti or drug use. Failure to comply with the conditions is a criminal offence.

Those living, working or visiting Cheltenham borough can comment on the proposed PSPO up until June 18, 2021.

Katie Day, neighbourh­ood team supervisor at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “There have been multiple incidents of anti-social behaviour and nuisance at the Town Centre East car park, which has resulted in distress to businesses and residents in the area. I would strongly urge local people to take part in the consultati­on and have their say. If there is support for the initiative and a PSPO is put in place, this will enable the council’s officers to enforce the order by issuing fixed penalty notices where appropriat­e.”

Acting inspector for the Cheltenham Neighbourh­ood Policing Team, Steven Benbow, of Gloucester­shire police, said: “We support the applicatio­n and will work with the council to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour within this area.

“Reports we have received have included noise, anti-social riding and skateboard­ing, items being thrown from the car park, criminal damage, graffiti and drug taking.

“We have increased and monitored our patrols and worked with partners to look at implementi­ng increased security in the car park, increased cleansing and possible extra barriers.

“The PSPO is another potential measure that could make a real difference and enable police and civil enforcemen­t officers from the council to reduce these issues and move people that are not in the car park for the correct reason, making it a safer and more attractive place for the public to use the facilities, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.”

To give your view, send an email to pspo-consultati­ons@cheltenham.gov. uk or write to: FAO Neighbourh­ood Team, Cheltenham Borough Council, Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 9SA.

 ?? Picture: Zasha Whitewaywi­lkinson ?? » Join the debate and stay up to date by following us on
The Town Centre East car park in Cheltenham has seen several incidents of anti-social behaviour
Picture: Zasha Whitewaywi­lkinson » Join the debate and stay up to date by following us on The Town Centre East car park in Cheltenham has seen several incidents of anti-social behaviour

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