Published on Wednesday 07 December 2022
BCP Council will consider its options to strengthen its approach to tackling anti-social behaviours (ASB), to protect and enhance its beaches and open spaces during the peak summer season.
Following feedback from communities and visitors, Cabinet will review recommendations for introducing a coastal and open spaces Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) at its next meeting on 14 December 2022.
PSPOs are tools that can be used by Councils to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a specific area. They add conditions on the use of that area which apply to everyone and can give Councils and their partners, greater enforcement powers and the ability to issue on the spot fines to those who break the rules. They are intended to help ensure that the law-abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Bobbie Dove, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said:
"We appreciate that the vast majority of people who come to enjoy and spend time in our beautiful resort respect our environment and are considerate of others. However, post COVID, we have seen a change of behaviours which can affect the enjoyment of our residents and visitors to our area, and as a result we are looking to change our response to this. This proposed PSPO will give us more options to deter these behaviours.
"I have submitted a report which recommends further consideration of prohibiting some of the more challenging behaviours such as overnight stays on our beaches and in camper vans on the cliff tops; open fires and BBQs; littering; the playing of loud music on clifftop areas, the seafront and other open spaces plus the option to disperse large groups which could be acting in an antisocial manner.
"Public consultation is an important part of our considerations, and we are eager to gather the views of our residents before making any further decision on whether a PSPO is implemented and ensure we deliver on the options that they would like to see included within the PSPO"
"If the report is approved, we would have the green light to proceed with a 28 day public consultation, at the end of which we will examine all of the survey responses and feedback. We are hoping to ensure that a decision is made of the final introduction of the PSPO before the Easter holidays which is when our tourism season tends to start".
For more information, please see the full report online.