Proposals To Stop Antisocial Behaviour In Town Car Park

A legal order that gives authorities greater powers to prevent antisocial behaviour is being introduced at a Pontypool town car park. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The order has been introduced by the Torfaen Community Safety Partnership following persistent reports of anti-social behaviour in the Civic Centre Upper (No. 2) Car Park, Glantorfaen Road in Pontypool. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The order will place greater legal restrictions on activities in the car park including the use of skateboards, mopeds and push bikes; possession and drinking of alcohol and possession of drugs paraphernalia. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 allows for the making of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) where local authorities feels that such action is justified to stop anti-social behaviour. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It does not affect people using the car park lawfully, but anyone in breach of the order can be arrested and prosecuted. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Two consultation periods were undertaken with residents in the area and the general public, in September 2015 and following revision of the Order, for two weeks in December 2015. Consultation is now closed as the Order has been made but it will not be enforceable until signage is erected early in May 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone who lives in, or regularly works in or visits the area can appeal a PSPO in the High Court within six weeks of issue. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​