William Eichler 04 August 2016

Report criticising PSPOs ‘trivialises’ anti-social behaviour, LGA says

Council leaders defend the use of anti-social behaviour legislation against accusations they are creating ‘bizarre new criminal offences’.

The anti-regulation campaign group Manifesto Club has criticised the employment of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) by local authorities and called for them to be ‘scrapped or dramatically scaled back’.

They said the rate of PSPOs has increased and they argued this is ‘leading to increasingly bizarre new criminal offences.’

The 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act introduced PSPOs to help councils tackle anti-social behaviour, defined as anything which local authorities feel may have a ‘detrimental effect’ on the ‘quality of life’ of residents.

The Manifesto Club has published an updated version of its Busybodies’ Charter which claimed by February 2016 130 PSPOs had been issued by 79 local authorities – including 9 bans on swearing, three bans on rough sleeping, and 12 bans on loitering or standing in groups.

The group argues the use of PSPOs lead to the ‘criminalisation of everyday activities in public spaces and the undermining of fundamental public freedoms.’

The Local Government Association (LGA) has responded accusing the Manifesto Club of ‘trivialising’ anti-social behaviour which, it says, can have ‘tragic consequences’.

‘This report completely trivialises anti-social behaviour, such as aggressive begging, public drinking or racing in cars,’ Cllr Simon Blackburn, chair of the LGA's safer and stronger communities board, said.

‘These are serious offences that make the lives of victims a misery – in some cases with tragic consequences. Councils are determined to protect their communities from behaviour that ruins their quality of life or means people are scared to visit public places.’

PSPOs, Cllr Blackburn added, are ‘effective tools’ which are ‘subject to democratic scrutiny and review.’

‘Councils listen to the concerns of local residents and businesses and consult with them to bring in PSPOs to address particular anti-social behaviour issues,’ Cllr Blackburn continued.

‘Crime and anti-social behaviour by its very nature varies from place to place and that is why different councils are responding in a variety of ways.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Recovery Worker Substance Misuse

Essex County Council
£30931 - £35362 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Recovery Worker Substance MisusePermanent, Full Time£30,931 to £35,362 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Advisor

Essex County Council
£30931 - £35362 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Domestic Abuse Perpetrator AdvisorFixed Term, Full Time£30,931 to £35,362 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Business Support Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£32,955 - £39,933 per annum
BusinessSupport Officer £32,955 �... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Stop Smoking Support Practitioner

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060
The Stop Smoking Support Practitioner will prioritise work with women and families in the antenatal and postnatal period Durham (County)
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Key Worker - Young Carers (West Essex)

Essex County Council
£23344.00 - £25662.00 per annum
Key Worker - Young Carers (West Essex)Permanent, Full Time£23,344 to £25,662 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.