Clacton’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been used to try and tackle troublemakers and antisocial behaviour, including street drinking and persistent begging.
The order, which has been regularly reviewed, was extended by Tendring District Council (TDC) for another three years and will now include the “gardens” area in east Clacton.
As well as banning some activities – including persistent begging, drug taking, or loitering likely to cause anti-social behaviour – the order allows authorised officers from Essex Police and TDC to confiscate open containers of alcohol and disperse large groups.
Failing to follow the order is an offence in itself, and people can be fined or taken to court.
A number of amendments to the original order have been approved.
They include the following:
- No person shall urinate, defecate, or spit within the public restricted area
- No tent or other structures like a tree, wall, fence, pole, booth, or gate be used anywhere within the restricted area shall be erected unless prior authorisation is sought and agreed by the Council.
- All persons are prohibited from behaving in a way that cause nuisance, harassment, alarm or distress to a member or members of the public.
Cllr. Sue Honeywood, who represents St Pauls ward, has been pushing to have the “gardens” included in the PSPO for well over a year.
“I have raised the issue of anti-social behaviour and illegal camping in the “gardens” with the Council on numerous occasions. At last, they have finally listened to the concerns of local people.
“We now need to ensure adequate resources are put in place to ensure the rules are enforced”, Sue Honeywood said.
Photo: Sue Honeywood in the “gardens”.
