New powers to tackle drug and drink misuse in Redditch
Unicorn Hill is one of the roads covered by the public space protection order
- Published
Police in Redditch have been given new powers to tackle drink and drug-fuelled anti-social behaviour, after an increase in incidents in the town.
Redditch Borough Council has approved a three-year public space protection order, also known as a PSPO. This gives both police and authorised council officers extra powers to quickly deal with people behaving anti-socially.
The PSPO makes it a criminal offence to refuse to surrender alcohol or intoxicating substances such as nitrous oxide, or to refuse an instruction to leave the designated area for a set period of time. Offenders could face arrest or a fine of up to £1000.
While the move has been welcomed by businesses in the town centre, some are concerned the new order will simply move anti-social behaviour elsewhere in the town.
The new order comes just weeks after complaints about youths openly smoking drugs and verbally abusing passers-by.
On two occasions in November, West Mercia Police issued 48-hour dispersal orders, which provided officers with powers to exclude people from the town centre if they act inappropriately.
The new order came into force on Tuesday night, although it can be appealed against for its first six weeks.
"It's come as a request from the police. It's about reassuring the public," said Councillor Lucy Harrison, Redditch Borough Council's portfolio holder for community and regulatory services.
When asked whether the new PSPO would simply move the anti-social behaviour to another part of town, she said: "Historically that hasn't been the case [with previous orders]; but obviously if that did happen we would address that."
Councillor Lucy Harrison, Redditch Borough Council's portfolio holder for Community and Regulatory Services, said the PSPO was being introduced "with compassion"
'It needs to be tackled'
Hairdresser Denise Hall, from Soul Hair Design in Church Green, says the problem has worsened during her time at the business
"I feel the situation needs to be tackled," said Denise Hall, who runs Soul Hair Design in Church Green.
"I've run my business here for six years and I've seen the number of people growing taking part in drinking and drugs."
"If you sat here all day, you'd be able to see who the street dealers are... it's going on right here in the centre", says Janine Blake, from Three Cooks Bakery, which overlooks part of Church Green.
Muj Rahman, the manager of Redditch's Business Improvement District, says businesses welcome the new public space protection order
"We have individuals who are sometimes intoxicated. To get to that level they are openly drinking in the town centre," says Muj Rahman, business manager at Redditch BID, an organisation which represents shops in the town.
"It's causing an issue with where families can come out and enjoy themselves," he added.
"But without any public space order in place, the police aren't able to do anything about it."