Have your say on how council tackles antisocial behaviour in Scarborough at meeting tonight

Residents have a chance to have their say on how Scarborough Council tackles antisocial behaviour in the town at a meeting this evening.
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Scarborough Borough Council is reviewing its anti-social behaviour Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in Scarborough and has launched a consultation to gather the views of local residents and businesses about whether a new PSPO should be put in place and the areas and types of issues it should cover.

The first of two public drop in sessions where people can speak to council officers about the proposals takes place at Scarborough Town Hall this evening from 4pm - 6pm.

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Cllr Liz Colling, Scarborough Borough Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Communities and Commercial said: “The current PSPO was put in place to try to address a number of concerns raised by residents and businesses about the negative impact anti-social behaviour was having on their lives and the perception of the area by visitors.

Scarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard PonterScarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard Ponter
Scarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard Ponter

“As part of our commitment to Building a Better Borough, this review and consultation gives people an opportunity to tell us how effective they think the PSPO has been, whether they would like to see a new one put in place, how similar or different that should be and which areas it should cover.”

What is the PSPO?

The current PSPO is part of a range of measures used by the North Yorkshire Police and the council to tackle anti-social behaviour, particularly disruptive behaviour caused by alcohol.

It has been in place since July 2017 and covers public spaces within a designated area of Scarborough, primarily within the centre and central part of the town, including the beach areas.

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Within the PSPO area there are restrictions on consuming alcohol, psychoactive substances and urinating in public.

What happens if you break the PSPO?

Currently those causing anti-social behaviour whilst drinking in public places can be ordered to surrender their alcohol.

The PSPO also places restrictions on consuming psychoactive substances (formerly known as legal highs) and it is an offence to urinate or defecate in a public place in the designated area.

Failure to comply with the terms of the PSPO can result in a fixed penalty notice and a fine of £100.

​The consultation

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As part of the consultation, the council is seeking opinion on whether the area the PSPO covers should be extended to include parts of Whitby.

Council staff will also be attending a number of residents and business meetings and forums to discuss the proposals in more detail.

The consultation period ends at 12pm on April 8.

People can have their say on the PSPO by completing the questionnaire available at scarborough.gov.uk/consultation.

Paper copies are also available upon request by calling 01723 232323 or visiting the Customer First Centre on St Nicholas Street.

There will be another drop in session in Whitby at the library from 4.30pm-6.30pm on Tuesday March 17.