The introduction of an order which could see people fined up to £1,000 if they drink alcohol or take drugs in Ashton town centre has been agreed.
Members of Tameside’s executive cabinet have today (Wednesday) signed off on plans to bring in a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which has been backed by Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor Baroness Beverley Hughes. The order would cover an area stretching from the M60 ring road in the west, across to the boundary of the Memorial Gardens on the A670 in the east.
It would be enforced by Greater Manchester Police, with officers able to hand out a £100 fixed penalty notice, or people could face a fine of up to £1,000 following a court summons.
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The use of the order follows numerous complaints by residents and businesses about anti-social behaviour Ashton town centre to the local authority, Angela Rayner MP, and Mayor Andy Burnham.
A report to cabinet states that people have complained to the council about ‘intoxicated individuals’ consuming alcohol and ‘other substances’ and ‘causing a nuisance’.
Since April 2021 and February of this year, GMP recorded 78 crimes in Ashton town centre, 19 of which were possession of drugs, and another 19 designated as violence without injury.
The new PSPO would prohibit the consumption of alcohol, the possession or use of intoxicating substances, discarding a needle or syringe, urination or defection, and the obstruction of doorways, stairwells and the prohibition of the erection of ‘temporary structures’ within the restricted area.
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While visiting the outdoor market after the meeting, the LDRS observed several groups of people congregating underneath the empty stall kiosks drinking alcohol. One man appeared to be smoking cannabis.
Cabinet member for town and communities, Councillor Vimal Choksi, said he hoped the measures would make residents feel safer about coming into the town centre. He added that issues were regularly reported around the outdoor market area, and there had been complaints from Iceland store and McDonald's.
“A number of youths are hanging around the fixed stalls, we’ve had complaints about music, drinking outside in broad daylight,” Coun Choksi added.
“I am looking forward to its implementation. The police are very, very supportive of the PSPO. We are not in the business of pushing people into other areas, we want to help them and support them and make sure if they’ve got problems, then they are addressed.
“I want people to feel welcome and not be subject to anti-social behaviour. I want people to come back into Ashton and feel safe.”
Following a consultation into the proposals, more than 90 per cent of participants were supportive of the measures.
Although some respondents raised concerns that the PSPO would push problems into other areas of the borough, and targeted vulnerable people who needed support rather than enforcement, such as homeless people or those with substance abuse issues.
Consequently the authority’s community safety and homelessness service has agreed to conduct an annual review of the impact of the PSPO on its effectiveness tackling antisocial behaviour, and also any negative impact it may have.
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