Purpose

The current PSPO which prohibits
alcohol-related anti-social behavior across the Borough is due to
expire on the 21st October and a decision is required by Cabinet
whether or not to endorse that Full Council renew the PSPO for a
further 3 years.

Decision

RESOLVED

That Full Council be
recommended to:

a)           
extends for a period of 3 years the Borough wide
Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to prohibit the consumption of alcohol where
that consumption
contributes to, is linked to or is associated with nuisance or annoyance to members of the public or a
section of the public, or to disorder in the borough of Crawley as set
out in
Appendix
Areport
HCS/058.

 

b)           
agrees that fixed penalties imposed for breaches of
the PSPO to be maintained at £100.   

Reasons for the
Recommendations
 
A
PSPO can target a range of behaviours and can prohibit specified
activities or require certain things to be done by people engaged
in certain activities. PSPOs can send a clear message that these
behaviours will not be tolerated and help reassure residents and
businesses that unreasonable conduct is being addressed.

Council officers consider it necessary to extend the PSPO in
order to prevent an increase in the frequency and or/seriousness of
anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol consumption in a public
space after the current PSPO expires. 
The extension is also supported by the Police, the Police and Crime
Commissioner (PCC) and West Sussex County Council.

The current PSPO has
had success in tackling the detrimental effect that street drinking
has on the public and businesses in the town centre.

The extension of the
PSPO would continue to provide the police and council with a tool
to tackle problems associated with alcohol-related nuisance,
annoyance and disorder.