Council approves PSPO (Public Spaces Protection Order) for Welwyn Garden City and consults on Hatfield PSPO
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Welwyn Garden City town centre was approved at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 6 February, and comes into effect on 1 April 2024.
A PSPO helps to protect public spaces and the community, giving the police and Council officers additional powers to issue fixed penalty notices and prosecute those responsible for anti-social behaviour. The Welwyn Garden City PSPO will see measures placed on parts of the town centre which aim to tackle any anti-social behaviour in the area.
Residents and businesses were invited to give their views on the introduction of such measures via a public consultation last autumn. Feedback highlighted concerns including the impact of street drinking, begging and rough sleeping around the town centre, and not feeling safe.
Outreach and support work will remain the major focus to tackle issues around begging, street drinking and rough sleeping. The PSPO will provide a useful tool in some cases where individuals are not engaging with support services and more serious action is necessary.
In addition to the approved PSPO in Welwyn Garden City, the Council is also asking for feedback on two other PSPO consultations: one to establish the need for an extension of the existing PSPO for Hatfield town centre for another three years before it expires on 30 July 2024, and one to establish whether to vary the designated area of the PSPO to cover Hilltop Way/High View area in Hatfield.
Consultations will be open until 14 March 2024, with businesses, residents and visitors to the area invited to have their say.
Councillor Sandreni Bonfante, Executive Member for Environment, said:
“Thank you to everyone who responded to the Welwyn Garden City PSPO consultation.
After listening to our community, we decided to implement this PSPO. We realised that we need a robust approach to anti-social behaviour so that our town centres remain spaces that everyone can enjoy. I encourage residents and businesses to take part in the Hatfield and High View PSPO consultations using the links below.”
To take part in the PSPO consultations please visit our website or call 01707 357706 and request a consultation pack to be sent to you.