POWERS to clamp down on people performing sexual acts, flashing and defecating in public spaces in Braintree are moving closer to being implemented.
Braintree Council has revealed it is working to put in place a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Braintree town centre.
A draft of the PSPO has been shared with residents, with the council keen to get responses on it and their experiences with antisocial behaviour in the area.
The document says the order would be in place for a period of three years, covering much of the town centre area.
It outlines antisocial behaviour issues which have taken place, including drunkenness leading to distress, nuisance or annoyance and aggressive begging.
Other issues include threatening, disorderly, abusive, aggressive and or unacceptable behaviour, carrying out sexual acts in public view, flashing intimate body parts, urinating and defecating in public view.
The council is set to ban the consumption of alcohol in a manner “that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance, or annoyance to any person”.
The PSPO also puts a ban on “aggressively beg for food, money, or other items” and language or behaviour “in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, and distress”.
Local Authorities were granted powers to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
PSPOs are intended to deal with a particular nuisance in a defined public space, where the nuisance behaviour is having a negative impact on the quality of life for those in that public space.
A PSPO can remain in place for up to three years. Breaking a PSPO may lead to a fixed penalty notice or prosecution.
Before introducing a PSPO local authorities are required to carry out a 28-day consultation.
The council is now holding this consultation for residents to share their experiences of antisocial behaviour in Braintree town centre and to get their thoughts on the PSPO.
To fill in the survey or to view the PSPO in full, visit https://shorturl.at/zkQbL.
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