Still time to take part in the proposed Salisbury Public Spaces Protection Order consultation

Wiltshire Council is reminding people who want to feedback on the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Salisbury, to take part before the consultation period ends on 30 October.

The proposal would cover Salisbury plus the surrounding parishes of Laverstock & Ford, Quidhampton, Netherhampton, Wilton, Alderbury, Odstock and Coombe Bissett and could see a PSPO being used to help prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the city.

Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, PSPO's give local authorities flexible powers to respond to particular issues affecting their communities. In this instance, the PSPO has been proposed following feedback from Wiltshire Police, parish councils and resident and is designed to address two issues in the city.

The first relates to the use of catapults, slingshots and similar items capable of launching a projectile which could cause harm or damage. While the second part of the proposed order seeks to address ASB linked to street drinking in the city centre, granting police powers to prohibit the drinking of alcohol or having open containers of alcohol in public places. The PSPO would not however affect those licensed premises with outdoor seating.

Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: We've had over 100 responses to the consultation so far and we want to thank those who have already taken the time to provide their feedback. There is still time for people to have their say, we particularly want to hear from local residents and businesses that are being affected by the anti-social behaviour.

Safeguarding our residents and businesses is one of our most important responsibilities, as such, we think that it is an appropriate time to consider the introduction of the PSPO in Salisbury and surrounding areas. If brought in, anyone found to be in breach of it could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.

Hopefully we can reassure our residents that we are taking anti-social behaviour seriously and we will work with Wiltshire Police to do everything we can to make our communities safer.

The consultation runs until 30 October 2023 and all feedback received will be considered before any final decision is made. To find out more about the proposed PSPO for Salisbury and to take part in the consultation, people can visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/5038/Salisbury-PSPO-Order. Hard copies of the survey are also available at Salisbury Library or by emailing ASB@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).