Asbo-style orders in city used more than 20 times during 2019
Two in Havant, one in Fareham
ASBO-style orders were used more than 20 times in Portsmouth last year – but surrounding councils saw just a couple of instances that warranted taking the ‘last resort’ action.
Portsmouth City Council used community protection notices – a way for local authorities and the police to identify and restrict antisocial behaviour – on 21 occasions last year, information gathered by civil liberty group The Manifesto Club revealed.
Meanwhile in the same period, Havant issued them twice – and Fareham used them just once.
Last year saw a notice issued to a nuisance beggar in Fareham, while in previous years notices have been used to stop people feeding pigeons in Havant.
The notices remain an important tool in tackling anti-social behaviour across the city, according to Portsmouth Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson
He said: ‘ People have to be good neighbours. And we need to use every tool in the
box to make sure people don’t cause trouble for others.’
But the Home Office had to issue updated guidance on their use in 2017, saying particular care should be taken when handing them to vulnerable people.
Havant Borough Councillor Narinder Bains, cabinet
lead for neighbourhoods, safety and enforcement, said: ‘I think from our perspective, enforcement isn’t always the number one priority. There might be vulnerable people who have issues, so having a fine doesn’t resolve the issue.’
Fareham borough councillor Trevor Cartwright agreed,
saying the notices were ‘a last resort’ after working to support people repeatedly committing anti-social behaviour.
The executive member for public protection said: ‘Yes, we do suffer with anti-social behaviour, but compared to Portsmouth, we don’t have
as much of an issue. It might be because they haven’t got a good working relationship with their partners.’
But Cllr Vernon-Jackson said the council maintained a ‘good working relationship’ with the police and the voluntary sector to support vulnerable people.