LITTERING, engine revving, and protesting abortions is set to get more difficult in Taunton as a fresh clampdown is in the works.
Somerset West and Taunton council is asking for your views on a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which will be enforced throughout the town centre.
The aim of the new PSPOs is to make punishments for anti-social behaviour easier to come by in the town centre and many of the town's parks.
The council has launched a consultation on the plans, which runs for six weeks from Monday, March 2.
As well as the usual hot-ticket items you’d expect to be covered, littering, public urination, etc, the documents also outline rules which would ban protests outside Millstream House, which runs NHS sexual health services and is sometimes the unsuspecting location of unwarranted protests surrounding its abortion services.
Busking for more than one hour in a location would also become an offence.
Hankridge Trading Estate is also one of the council’s targeted locations as it hopes to reduce nuisance behaviour.
ENGINE REVS: Hankridge Retail Park
The new orders could result in fixed penalty notices of £100 or fines of up to £1,000 if convicted of breaching the PSPO in court.
However, the council has provided reassurance that they are not designed to make money for the authority, and any money received in penalties is ring-fenced for Streetwise work.
Cllr Chris Booth, executive member for community, said: “PSPOs are designed to ensure the law-abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour.
“We’ve been working with partners including the police, to identify issues that could have a detrimental impact on people who live, work or visit the town, many of which are linked to alcohol and drug dependency.
“Our aim is always to make an early intervention, and to take the opportunity to engage and improve behaviour, but no-one should have to endure behaviour that has a negative impact on them, their environment or the community in which they live or work.
“The existing PSPO has been ineffective as it was unfortunately often unenforceable. We are now restarting this process and want public feedback to be a key part of helping to improve our district through enforceable rules.
“We hope people will engage with the consultation process to revise the PSPO powers and help to make our county town and associated open spaces safe and welcoming.”
PSPO were previously in place throughout Taunton Deane, but were hard to enforce. The new documents makes it easier to bring strong cases to court as it thoroughly explains any exemptions to the orders.
TOUGHER RULES: Victoria Park, in Taunton
The council says it’s Streetwise team will continue to work with offenders to tackle issues of anti-social behaviour, but the new conditions will give clarity to officers and partners when the PSPO needs to be enforced.
Fining offenders or taking court action will only be taken against those that are persistent offenders and where all other options have been exhausted.
To view the documents and to have your say visit somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/pspo/
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