Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
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Have your say on protecting public spaces

Published Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Photograph of a man dressed in a navy suit with white shirt and yellow tie holding a poster. He is stood in front of grass and black railings, with a large building in the background

Residents are being asked for their views on rules that help to tackle the problems associated with public drinking, the taking of drugs and so called 'legal highs' in all public areas of the borough.

The rules also apply to irresponsible dog owners who do not pick up after their pets or who do not have their pets under control as well as help prevent a wider range of other environmental nuisances that can be tricky to curtail.

First introduced in 2016, the rules are set out in a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).  Now the council is looking to renew the PSPO and is asking the public for their views as well as inviting people to suggest changes.

A PSPO is a measure, created by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which is intended to deal with activities carried out in a public space that have a detrimental effect on the local community’s quality of life. Since it was first adopted in the borough in 2016, the PSPO has enabled the council to impose restrictions within any open area and prevented individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in public spaces.  A breach of the PSPO is a criminal offence and can result in a £100 fixed penalty fine.  More serious offences can lead to prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000

Councillor Michael Mullaney, Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety at the Borough Council, said:

“One of the biggest issues people raise with me when I speak to people in Hinckley and Bosworth is concerns about dog fouling and increased concerns about drug taking. I would urge all residents with concerns to respond to the consultation. The menaces of dog fouling in our green spaces and drug taking in public spaces need to be tackled and the public’s views and input into this is vital.”
 

The Order for Hinckley and Bosworth currently bans the dealing and use of drugs, so-called 'legal highs' and alcohol in all public areas.  At the same time the order requires dog owners to pick up after their dog and to keep their dog under control, when on or off the lead.

The consultation is open until 20 July and can be completed online by visiting PSPO.

If you have any questions regarding this consultation or would like a printed copy please email streetscene@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk or phone 01455 255971.