Plans to extend Chesterfield’s town centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) have now been approved, strengthening efforts to tackle anti social behaviour on the outskirts of the town centre.
Following a consultation with residents and businesses earlier this year, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet has agreed to widen the existing town centre PSPO boundary, giving the council and police additional powers to address concerns along Chatsworth Road and into Brampton.
The PSPO, first introduced in 2017, has already played a key role in reducing ASB and improving safety within the town centre.
With the night time economy continuing to grow along Chatsworth Road and into Brampton, increased footfall has made these areas more attractive for begging and other nuisance activity.
The approved extension means the council and police can now take consistent, preventative action across a wider area - helping to reassure residents and local businesses, support vulnerable people and maintain a welcoming environment for everyone.
The extended PSPO will allow the police to continue to take necessary action if the following behaviours are reported in the area:
- Behaviour that causes nuisance, alarm, or distress to another person
- Loitering around cash machines, shopping centre entrances, shop entrances, car park ticket machines and payment machines to beg for money
- Leaving personal belongings unattended
- Urinating or defecating in public outside of a public toilet
- Require anyone found drinking alcohol on the streets within the town centre to hand over open or unopened alcohol containers
Councillor Jean Innes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Chesterfield is a very safe place to live, socialise and visit, and while some anti-social behaviour and disorder can occasionally arise - as it does in towns and cities across the country - we are committed to working with our partners and taking steps to tackle any issues that may arise.
“Since 2017, the town centre PSPO has helped reduce ASB and improve safety, but as reports began to show unwanted behaviour moving into nearby areas, we wanted to get the views of local residents and businesses on extending the boundary.
“With strong support for the proposal, we are pleased to confirm that the extension has now been approved and powers under the PSPO will be extended along Chatsworth Road and in to Brampton.
“Together with the new Chesterfield Town Centre Partnerships, this extension shows our commitment to ensuring that the town centre and surrounding areas remain safe, vibrant and enjoyable for everyone.”
Sergeant Luke Christian from the Chesterfield Town Centre Safer Neighbourhood team said: “We welcome the extension of the PSPO, which will give officers and our partners additional powers to respond quickly and effectively to anti-social behaviour and other issues.
“Chesterfield remains a safe and welcoming town to visit and it’s important that we use the powers outlined in the PSPO to help maintain this.
“We will continue to work with local organisations in the Chesterfield Town Centre Partnership to address the causes of these issues, ensuring support is offered where needed and make clear that problem behaviour will not be tolerated. Residents and visitors will see regular local patrols from police and council officers to ensure this.”
Further details on active PSPOs in Chesterfield.
