Consultation opens for Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order

Photo: Journeaux

Rochdale town centre

Businesses are being asked for their comments as a consultation has opened for the controversial proposed Public Spaces Protection Order in Rochdale Town Centre.

The consultation outline states that town centre businesses have requested the council to consider a PSPO to ‘proactively deal with a range of anti-social behaviour issues’, which they consider are negatively affecting trade.

One member of staff, who did not wish to be identified for safety, said: “It’s happening every night in the centre, but it’s worse at the weekend. We desperately need this in place, as I know staff that have been threatened on more than one occasion.

“Police and paramedics know them by name because it’s every week. People collapsed in the street in the centre on Friday (11 April) because they’d been taking spice. I’ve been told the people displaying this behaviour have been offered help, like rehabilitation programmes and housing, but they’ve refused it.”

(Rochdale Online has verified the identity of the anonymous staff member).

The PSPO would give authorised officers (police, community support officers, or council officers possessing authority for enforcement) relevant powers of enforcement needed to tackle the undesirable issues in the town centre.

The purpose of the proposed Order is to assist the council and its partners to provide an appropriate and robust response to anti-social behaviour issues in Rochdale Town Centre.

The council has opened this to consultation to determine: whether a PSPO is required, the proposed wording of the order and the proposed area to be designated. The order would remain in place for a period of three years from the date of enforcement.

PSPOs are intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a particular area that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life, by imposing conditions on the use of that area, which apply to everyone.

Depending on the outcome of the consultation, the order could cover some or all of the following activities:

• Control of commercial or charity collection or soliciting for money in the street without possession of written authority from the council.
• Consumption of alcohol on the street.
• Driving or using a car in an anti-social manner.
• Obstructing the highway or loitering.
• Anti-social parking.
• Unauthorised distribution of printed materials/leaflets without possession of written authority from the council.
• Use of skateboards within pedestrianised areas, bicycles and scooters or similar in a manner that may cause nuisance, alarm or distress.
• Begging in the street.
• Foul and abusive language.

Mark Foxley of Rochdale Town Centre Management said: “We are committed to partnership working to improve the visitor experience, we cannot let a minority spoil it for others and hinder the town centres progress.

“So far during the council's consultation period, we have received an overwhelming show of support for the PSPO from town centre businesses. We make no apologies for together trying to make improvements."

The consultation letter outlines such instances have attracted negative media attention, and that Rochdale Borough Council is aware of the needs and obligations under legislation to protect and support the most vulnerable people in the Borough. The Council works with statutory and voluntary partners to provide help and support for vulnerable households and those at risk of homelessness.

It notes, however, that ‘this is a complex issue and those concerned can range from genuine homeless individuals, people looking to solicit money to fund their lifestyle and begging supported by serious organised crime, which can be linked to modern day slavery and exploitation’.

The council is consulting with the following stakeholders:

• Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
• Town centre businesses.
• Rochdale Town Centre Management Company.
• Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH).
• Internal council services, such as Adult Care and Environmental Management.
• Individuals potentially affected by the order, such as those known to GMP or the council who may be involved in anti-social behaviour.

A spokesperson for RBH said: “We are aware of the current consultation regarding Public Space Protection Orders. We are considering the report with our teams and we will submit our response prior to the closing date.”

Key stakeholders are asked to share their comments on the below to consultation@rochdale.gov.uk by 19 May:

• Do you consider a Public Spaces Protection Order is required for Rochdale Town Centre?
• Do you agree with the types of activity which have been included in the draft order?
• Do you think there are areas of anti-social behaviour we have not included?
• Do you consider the proposed area for the Order as set out in the attacked map to be appropriate?
• Do you think it should be extended to cover any other areas around the town centre boundary?
• Do you have evidence of anti-social behaviour which has affected your business or organisation you could share with the council?

Following the consultation process, a report will be submitted to councillors for a final decision.

Copies of the draft order and consultation are available to pick up at Town Centre Management in the Wheatsheaf Centre.