A CRACKDOWN on crime and anti-social behaviour in Teignmouth is set to be agreed by councillors.
Teignbridge District Council’s executive, when they meet on Tuesday, are recommended to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for large parts of the town.
The prohibitions proposed reflect the concerns relating to general anti-social behaviour and specifically to address the issues relating rowdy and nuisance behaviour, substance misuse and alcohol consumption in public places.
Police data shows that the number of recorded anti-social behaviour incidents in Teignmouth has risen between May – September 2020 by 36 per cent – an additional 53 incidents – in comparison to the same period in the previous year.
The recommendations follow almost unanimous support from consultees within the town, which councillors to be told that the failure to have this order in place could potentially impact on visitor experience and the quality of life of Teignbridge residents.
It would cover The Den, The Seafront, the Back Beach, The Triangle, Wellington Street and Lower Brook Street, and the restrictions would prohibit people from shouting, swearing or acting in a manner as to cause annoyance, harassment, alarm or distress to any person.
There would also be a ban on the eating, drinking, inhaling, injecting, smoking or preparing substances ‘intoxicating substances’, while any person must surrender any intoxicating substances in their possession, cease drinking alcohol, or surrender or dispose of any alcohol in their possession if asked to do so. Those who fail to do so would be subject to a £100 fixed penalty notice.
Chief Superintendent, Nikki Leaper and Inspector Andrew Tomlinson, in supporting the proposed PSPO, said that it would be justified. In their response, they said: ‘The reports causing us concern are public drinking/drunkenness and associates Anti-Social behaviour. Where the behaviour amounts to a criminal offence police action is taken.
‘However in many cases the behaviour is not criminal, but observations of officers and reports made to them by the public show that even where not criminal the behaviour of those involved intimidates people and prevents them from enjoying or using the public amenities in the town such as bus stops, public seating areas and public toilets. We are also told it is having a detrimental impact on retail businesses as customers are discouraged from visiting.
“The creation of a PSPO will enable police to address the ASB at a much earlier stage reducing its impact and improving the quality of life for the wider community.”
Teignbridge’s executive, when they meet on Tuesday, are recommended to recommend to full council that the PSPO for the prescribed parts of Teignmouth be introduced.
The report of Rebecca Hewitt, Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager, adds: ‘The prohibitions proposed in the draft order reflect the concerns relating to general ASB and specifically to address the issues relating rowdy and nuisance behaviour, substance misuse and alcohol consumption in public places. There are no alternative approaches to address the issue.’
