Plan to tackle anti-social behaviour – join the debate | Latest news

 

Arun residents are being asked for their views on a plan to tackle persistent antisocial behaviour in both Littlehampton and Bognor Regis town centres.

A three-month consultation has gone live this week to give residents the chance to share their views on whether they would be in favour of ‘Alcohol Control Areas’ and powers to disperse individuals causing anti-social behaviour

New measures mean the Council has the power to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order [PSPO] in designated areas of both Bognor Regis and Littlehampton town centres and surrounding areas in a bid to reduce disruptive behaviour caused by drinking in the street.

The Council wants to know if this is what the public want and is encouraging as many people as possible to complete the online consultation, which runs until September 2016, online. Alternatively, hard copies of the consultation can be obtained from the Civic Centre in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis Town Hall.

The Council wants residents and local business owners, along with all sectors of the community, to provide feedback on the proposal for the PSPO covering both town centres and surrounding areas, which would allow ‘authorised officers’ to confiscate alcohol being consumed in public spaces and disperse individuals .

Councillor Paul Wotherspoon, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Working alongside Sussex Police, partner organisations and our residents, we are committed to reducing anti-social behaviour in our town centres.

“Feedback from some members of the public and shop owners has indicated that they believe street drinking in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis sparks anti-social behaviour which is having a detrimental effect on those areas.

“However the introduction of any new measures will be subject to the resources available in a financially-challenging environment and agencies will need to work together to undertake effective enforcement action.

“So we would urge our residents to take part in the consultation and let the Council know their views. We will listen to our residents, whether the consensus is to introduce a Public Space Protection Order, or not.”

Additional dog control measures are also being proposed for the beach and greensward in Ferring.

The consultation findings will be reported to the Council’s Cabinet in December when the decision will be made whether to recommend a PSPO to Full Council. If supported, the new PSPO may come into force in 2017.

The consultation started on 20 June 2016 and will end on 11 September 2016.

For more information please contact community.safety@arun.gov.uk.