Public Space Protection Order considered to curb town centre ASB

Article date: 27 January 2025

During 2024, St Helens Borough Council and its community safety partners received an increasing number of reports relating to a small number of people behaving in a manner that has a negative impact on residents, visitors, and businesses in St Helens Town Centre.

The behaviours reported include large gatherings of individuals undertaking street drinking, verbally abusive behaviour, reports of drug taking in public places, incidents of physical aggression and violence, urination, verbal abuse, groups displaying harassing and intimidating behaviours.

Responding to these reports, in October the council conducted a public survey to gather detailed views about the issue and possible solutions, including the potential for a PSPO.

Authorised under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, PSPOs allow councils to set conditions on the use of specific locations to address behaviours that negatively impact the community.

To support the creation of a PSPO the council must gather public feedback, ensuring that decision-making is well-informed, and that subsequent action is proportionate.

With 86 per cent of 168 survey respondents concerned or very concerned about alcohol-related ASB in St Helens Town Centre, and overwhelmingly in favour of greater enforcement (94 per cent), Cabinet committed to consult on the draft PSPO last week (Wednesday 22 January).

Joint work between St Helens Borough Council, Merseyside Police and the drug and alcohol support service Change, Grow, Live will continue throughout the consultation period.

The proposed PSPO boundary covers notable problem areas around Victoria Square and other central parts of the town centre, but extends as far south as the Cannington Roundabout, north to the boundary of Moss Bank Ward and covering parts of Windle Ward, east past the rail line towards Fingerpost, and west to include the Linkway West retail park.

Cabinet Member for Supporting Neighbourhoods, Councillor Trisha Long, said: "The impact of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour as a result of street drinking in our town centre is unacceptable and, with the feedback from our initial survey, plain to see.

"When used appropriately and with local support, a Public Space Protection Order can be a useful tool to help prevent anti-social behaviour and deal effectively with the issues local residents and businesses are facing in the town centre.

"Your feedback on the draft order will play a crucial role in making sure any action we take reflects the community's needs and perspectives to help us do everything we can to make sure St Helens Town Centre is a safe and welcoming experience for everyone who lives, works or visits here."

The consultation will be live for six weeks until midnight on Monday 10 March. To take part visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/PSPO.