New hotspots added to Walsall town centre anti-social behaviour public order

A police order targeting anti-social behaviour in Walsall has been further extended to cover additional hotspots.

The renewed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) will continue to give authorised officers enforcement powers over specified anti-social behaviour in Walsall town centre, with the restricted area extended.

The renewed order came into force on Monday, October 19 and will remain in place until October 18, 2029.

Walsall Council said this follows a five-week public consultation with residents and town centre businesses in June, which gathered views on the restrictions set out in the order and the areas which it covered.

The PSPO allows authorised council Community Protection officers and police to take enforcement action against specified anti-social behaviour.

The restrictions apply to public spaces within the designated area 24 hours a day.

The boundary in which the PSPO covers has also been extended, now including additional anti-social behaviour hotspots such as the Walsall Arboretum Junction, where the council and its partners are stepping up action in response to concerns about persistent begging.

Councillor Ian Benton, spokesman for Street Scene and Enforcement at Walsall Council, said: “The town centre Public Spaces Protection Order has been an important tool in tackling anti-social behaviour since it was first introduced in 2017.

“We have renewed the order using feedback from residents and businesses, alongside intelligence from our partners, including West Midlands Police, to address emerging issues and hotspots.

“Through the powers it grants, we will take action against behaviour that intimidates, harasses or disrupts others and affects people’s ability to use public spaces safely.

“We will continue working closely with the police and our partners to enforce the order and tackle anti-social behaviour across Walsall town centre.”

Sergeant Alex Backrath, neighbour policing supervisor at Walsall Police, said, “We work closely with our partners to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Walsall town centre.

“Our dedicated officers will continue to work alongside Walsall Council’s Community Protection officers to enforce the PSPO.

“We want people to visit Walsall and enjoy all it has to offer without the fear of anti-social behaviour and we will continue to do work together to ensure people enjoy public spaces in the town.”

The order retains restrictions relating to anti-social behaviour, alcohol consumption, the use of intoxicating substances, persistent or aggressive begging, and urinating or defecating in public.

It also covers the disposal of needles and associated paraphernalia, and requires dog owners to keep pets on a lead or otherwise under physical control within the restricted area.

Failing to comply with the order without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence.

An authorised officer may issue a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice for a breach. If the case goes to court and results in a conviction, the maximum fine is £1,000, or £500 for specified alcohol-related offences.

The PSPO also applies to public spaces within the restricted area, including roads, public footpaths, communal car parks and public green spaces.