Comeback plan for town anti-social behaviour order

A council hopes to tackle ongoing anti-social behaviour including street drinking, begging and drug misuse by restoring a public space protection order (PSPO).

North Northamptonshire Council is proposing to reintroduce a PSPO in Kettering after it was unable to renew the previous order in time.

Data from Northamptonshire Police has identified ongoing anti-social behaviour in the town with the highest number of incidents recorded on High Street, Lower Street, Gold Street and Carrington Street.

Greg Wilcox, Reform UK councillor and executive member for communities, said: "We want Kettering town centre to be a place where people feel safe, welcome and able to enjoy everything it has to offer."

A PSPO was first introduced in the town in 2016 following volumes of anti-social behaviour caused by the town's retail, leisure and night-time economy.

This order was renewed in 2019 and 2022, however, as the previous order has now expired the council must consult on a new order before any restrictions can be introduced.

It enables the council to impose restrictions within a defined public area to address behaviour that has a detrimental impact on the community.

The proposal also draws on feedback from consultations in June and July last year where 87 people said the PSPO should be extended.

However, the council admitted that following these consultations organisational and staffing changes meant that the renewal process for the order did not progress through the approval stages before its expiry date.

The proposed three-year order would include powers relating to the consumption of alcohol in public places, anti-social use of motor vehicles, obstruction of the highway and loitering, begging, and foul and abusive language.

It follows police reports of recurring anti-social vehicle use, public drinking, drug misuse, begging, rough sleeping and youth-related disorder.

The council hopes it will act as a deterrent and the new consultation is open until 28 September.

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