Anti-social behaviour controls get the go-ahead for Durham City

New proposals to control anti-social behaviour in Durham City have been given the green light.

Durham County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in the city to tackle behaviours including begging, urinating in the street and the use of intoxicating substances.

The proposed measures have already received strong support from residents and businesses in Durham.

A consultation held earlier this year received more than 400 responses, with 83 per cent of people either strongly supporting or supporting plans for a PSPO to be introduced to control begging, and almost 90 per cent backing a PSPO specifically to control urinating and the use of intoxicating substances.

Alan Patrickson, Durham County Council’s director of neighbourhoods and climate change and chair of the City Safety Group, said: “We are pleased to be able to move ahead with plans to introduce a PSPO in Durham City.

“We are determined to ensure that Durham remains a friendly, welcoming and safe place for all who live, work in and visit the city. Following some concerns being raised around certain behaviours, the introduction of the PSPO will help us to take appropriate action and tackle these issues.

“This will be used alongside a wide range of support and education measures, ensuring that people are offered the support they need while making sure that residents and businesses feel reassured too.”

The introduction of a PSPO has also been welcomed by Durham Constabulary, whose crime and anti-social behaviour statistics further support the view that a PSPO would help to control such behaviours.

Inspector Dave Clarke, of Durham Constabulary, said: “Today’s Cabinet decision is a welcome move which will make a significant difference in helping us make the city centre a safer place for residents and visitors.

“City centre residents and businesses have repeatedly told us they want more done to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, such as nuisance begging and substance misuse, and the council’s consultation process found an overwhelming majority in favour of introducing a Public Space Protection Order.

“We know that a relatively small group of people are having a disproportionate impact on the wider community and are responsible for a high proportion of the incidents we are called to in the city centre.

“These are issues which will not be resolved overnight and we will take time to engage with those groups effected, explain the changes and encourage them to co-operate, before we move to enforcement, but these additional powers are a very useful tool which will reinforce the good multi-agency work already being done to tackle intimidating and criminal behaviour.”

Anyone breaching the PSPO will be issued with a £100 fine. However, an initial period of engagement will follow the introduction of the order before any fines are issued.