Agenda item
Prohibition of inconsiderate and inappropriate vehicle use related to Antisocial Behaviour.
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Executive Summary |
The Council in conjunction with our partners are proposing to introduce four new public space protection orders (PSPOs) within the North Norfolk District to prohibit inconsiderate and inappropriate vehicle use related to antisocial behaviour. This is part of a wider control strategy involving the Norfolk Constabulary and local authority partners to curb this style of behaviour.
It is widely known that the ASB issues specified above are a cross-boundary issue and in some circumstances with perpetrators travelling extensive distances to attend meeting events. With other authorities establishing control measures, perpetrators are prepared to travel to avoid restrictions and frequently target those areas that have no controls.
The purpose of these PSPOs will be to support the Constabulary and establish a consistent approach with our partners and reduce the likelihood of this form of ASB occurring in our district.
These orders when approved will be in force for a period of 3 years, after which time the Council will be required to review and approve once more.
The Council launched a 6-week consultation that concluded on the 11th of December 2024 to determine the views of residents and interested parties. During the consultation 7 responses were received from the public and all were unanimous in their support.
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Options considered
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Essentially there are two options:
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Consultation(s) |
The Council launched a 6-week consultation that concluded on the 11th of December 2024 to determine the views of residents and interested parties. During the consultation 7 responses were received from the public and all were unanimous in their support.
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Recommendations
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It is the officer’s recommendation that the proposals are accepted in full.
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Reasons for recommendations
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Background papers
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Please refer to the operation octane briefing statement for members (appendix 2) and the PSPO order (appendix 1) |
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Wards affected |
Cromer Town Suffield Park Stalham North Walsham West North Walsham East North Walsham Market Cross Lancaster North Lancaster South |
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Cabinet member(s) |
Cllr Ringer |
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Contact Officer |
James Ashby or Emily Capps (after 29th of Jan 2025) |
Decision:
Decision
RESOLVED
To introduce four new public space protection orders (PSPOs) within the North Norfolk District to prohibit inconsiderate and inappropriate vehicle use related to antisocial behaviour.
Reason for the decision:
- Fulfil the council’s contribution to Operation Octane (refer to appendix 2) and support the Norfolk Constabulary initiative.
- Support our local authority partners and maintain consistency regarding enforcement.
- Provide additional enforcement powers to NNDC regarding this type of ASB.
Minutes:
Decision
RESOLVED
Cllr C Ringer, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, introduced this item. He explained that the Councils proposed to introduce 4 new public space protection orders (PSPOs) in Fakenham, North Walsham, Cromer, and Stalham. The introduction of these orders was to support the Norfolk Constabulary and in particular the multi-agency operation entitled ‘Operation Octane’, specifically to enhance enforcement powers to deal with antisocial driving activities. As part of this process a 6-week public consultation was launched and was concluded on the 11th of Dec 2024. During the consultation, 7 responses were received from the public and all were unanimous in their support for these proposals.
Although North Norfolk received a small number of complaints relating to these issues, it was recognised that it was important to support Norfolk Constabulary in their efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Cllr L Shires thanked officers for their work on this. North Walsham residents were grateful as they had been experiencing an increase in such incidents in the town.
Cllr W Fredericks said that she welcomed these proposals and the flexibility to add areas in the future. She added that any requests needed to be supported by evidence and encouraged members of the public reporting any concerns to ensure that they were well evidenced, where possible.
Cllr A Brown asked how frequently the policy would be reviewed. He raised concerns about the way noise nuisance was monitored and actioned and which organisation was responsible for enforcement. The Chairman replied that the areas included in the current proposal had been put forward by Norfolk Constabulary and were based on evidence. Any future additions would need to go through a consultation process.
The Director for Communities clarified that public protection orders were reviewed every 3 years and the review process began in the months leading up to the expiration date. In response to Cllr Brown’s concerns, he said that when issues appeared in any areas not covered under the current order, then the Police would assess the evidence and where necessary commence the consultation process in order to bring forward a separate new order for that locality. He confirmed that the relationship between the Council’s environmental protection team and the Police was excellent and he had full confidence in it. He concluded by saying that in regards to vehicle noise and anti-social behaviour, it gave the Police an additional ‘tool’ to deal with problems where it was effectively on private land and challenging such behaviour could be challenging.
Cllr Shires added that in North Walsham there were ongoing issues with modified cars and although car owners were often willing to reverse the modifications, it was not always the case and the Police were able to issue a statutory notice to enforce compliance.
Cllr J Toye said that it was important to tackle anti-social behaviour as it gave other car owners a bad name. The Director for Communities concurred that these orders were not aimed at reducing planned car meets but tackling street racing, revving engines and general abusive language and intimidating behaviour.
It was proposed by Cllr C Ringer, seconded by Cllr J Toye and
RESOLVED
To introduce four new public space protection orders (PSPOs) within the North Norfolk District to prohibit inconsiderate and inappropriate vehicle use related to antisocial behaviour.
Reason for the decision:
- Fulfil the council’s contribution to Operation Octane (refer to appendix 2) and support the Norfolk Constabulary initiative.
- Support our local authority partners and maintain consistency regarding enforcement.
- Provide additional enforcement powers to NNDC regarding this type of ASB.
Supporting documents:
PDF 1 MB