Have your say on proposed update of legislation to tackle anti-social behaviour

Residents are being asked for their views regarding a proposed update of current legislation designed to tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in public space areas and communities across Leeds.

Leeds City Council is reviewing 13 Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) which were introduced in October 2017. A PSPO can last for up to three years however under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 they can be extended upon review.

All 13 PSPOs have prohibitions which do not allow people to consume alcohol in public places. Two of those PSPOs (Armley and Harehills) also have prohibitions to help tackle issues of household waste containers being left in the street for prolonged periods of time. The council is proposing to keep these PSPOs and prohibitions.

Following a review by the council and partners, it is also proposed that prohibitions be added around ‘temporary structures’ (tents, portable shelters and unauthorised and unlicensed structures) to the city centre PSPO and to support the tackling of anti-social behaviour issues seen at Leeds General Infirmary. Similar prohibitions have also been proposed for St James’s University Hospital as part of the Burmantofts PSPO.

Leeds City Council is proposing to extend all 13 PSPOs (some with new prohibitions).These proposals have received support from local councillors in their respective PSPO areas.

If you would like to comment on these proposals, you can do so from Monday 10 August 2020 until Sunday 06 September 2020, by filling in an online questionnaire at: https://surveys.leeds.gov.uk/s/PSPO-Consultation/

The council will make a final decision on the proposed implementation of PSPOs following the conclusion and evaluation of the public consultation. To view the terms of the PSPOs currently in place, please see: www.leeds.gov.uk/pspo

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for communities, said:

“Since introducing 13 PSPOs in October 2017, we’ve seen some really positive results in terms of tackling a range of issues that were found to be having a negative impact on the lives of residents and their communities.

“As part of the terms of the legislation we are reviewing each of the PSPOs as they approach their third year in operation to assess how they have done and the potential to extend. In some instances we are also proposing some additional prohibitions to be added to some individual PSPOs. With that in mind, we would welcome the thoughts of residents regarding the PSPOs established in their communities, and also regarding any further potential alterations that are being proposed.”