Agenda item

(Councillor Burke joined the virtual meeting at this stage in proceedings)

To approve the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order to provide additional tools and powers to reduce and manage incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and drug use within our multi-story carparks in the areas of Lucy Tower Multi-Storey Carpark, Broadgate Multi-Storey Carpark and Lincoln Central Multi-Storey Carpark, following consideration by Policy Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 18 August 2020.

Revised maps of Lucy Tower Multi-Storey Carpark, Broadgate Multi-Storey Carparkand Lincoln Central Multi-Storey Carpark were made available to Executive members.

Decision

That the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent Anti-Social Behaviour in the areas of Lucy Tower Multi-Storey Carpark, Broadgate Multi-Storey Carparkand Lincoln Central Multi-Storey Carpark be approved, as per the draft order laid out within Appendix D of the officers report.

To take no further action – without the PSPO the council could continue to use other powers such as Community Protection Notices and Injunctions in cases of extreme ASB. This process was being used currently however due to the incremental requirements of community protection notices and other powers the process could be lengthy and did not give any immediate sanctions to deter persons causing ASB.

In October 2014 the Secretary of State enacted new powers from the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, relevant to tackling Anti-Social Behaviour.

The PSPO was flexible and could be applied to a much broader range of issues, with local authorities having the ability to design and implement their own prohibitions or requirements where certain conditions were met. These conditions centred on the impact to the quality of life in the locality, persistence, and whether the impact made the behaviour unreasonable.

For a number of years City of Lincoln Council had received significant complaints relating to the Anti-Social Behaviour taking place in our multi-story carparks.

Areas of the carparks were often unsanitary and posed a health and safety risk to both the Public and Employees that used the areas. Additionally the carparks were often the first and last image that visitors had of Lincoln and did not portray Lincoln as a vibrant, safe and welcoming city.

As well as recommending the introduction of a PSPO the council had already taken positive steps to address the number of reported incidents. The Council had recently introduced CCTV at both the Lucy Tower Street and Broadgate Carparks. Central Carpark had CCTV in already. CCTV was assisting with deterrence, and would also assist in the enforcement aspects of the PSPO. The Council had also put on additional security patrols to support staff and give reassurance to the public.

Through the consultation process the views of partner agencies had been sought as detailed within the officer’s report.

The purpose of the PSPO was to provide additional tools and powers to tackle ongoing and protracted ASB occurring on a regular basis within our Multi-Story carparks.

The PSPO would be put in place for a maximum period of three years and there would be a full review towards the end of that time or earlier if required.