Last chance to comment on Devizes Public Spaces Protection Order consultation

Wiltshire Council is reminding people who want to feedback on the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Devizes, to take part before the consultation period ends on 25 August.

Introduced under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a PSPO will give local authorities powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town. In this instance, it is related to increased reports of street-drinking in the town.

If a PSPO is introduced in Devizes following the consultation, anyone found to be in breach of the Order could be issued with an on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) up to £100. Failure to pay a FPN could lead to prosecution and a fine on conviction up to £1,000.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: We want to thank the 700 plus people and businesses who've taken the time to respond to the consultation so far, with the vast majority in favour of the proposal. There is still time, however, for more people to have their say, we particularly want to hear from young people under the age of 24 and residents and businesses that are being affected by anti-social behaviour.

One of our most important responsibilities as a council is to safeguard our residents and businesses from harm, and we believe that a PSPO in Devizes will help to reduce the level of anti-social behaviour that is being seen in the town. A similar PSPO has recently been introduced in Salisbury, with a number of Fixed Penalty Notices already being issued to those breaching the order. We, along with Wiltshire Police, want to show that we are taking anti-social behaviour in Wiltshire seriously and will put measures in place to deter this type of behaviour.

I'd encourage those who haven't yet done so to go online to read the proposal and have your say.

The consultation runs until 25 August 2024 and all feedback received will be considered before any final decision is made. To find out more about the proposed PSPO for Devizes and to take part in the consultation, people can visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community-safety-pspo-devizes. Hard copies of the survey are also available by emailing ASB@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).