Cumberland Council agrees new Public Space Protection Order

Cumberland Council Executive Committee has agreed a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) during their meeting held on Tuesday 23 July.

The decision follows the consolidation of the three district councils, (Allerdale, Copeland, and Carlisle City Council) and the County Council, into the newly organised Cumberland Council. The expiration of existing PSPOs provided an opportunity to reassess and refine regulations across the entire region.

A PSPO is a positive way to help prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB) and can provide an effective response to some of the issues that are of concern to local people and businesses.

Governed by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, these orders provide local authorities with flexible measures to address the broad and growing challenges of Anti-Social Behaviour. Recognising councils are well-suited to identify and address such concerns, these orders empower councils to safeguard the community and uphold the quality of public spaces.

The new PSPO was shaped following a consultation process that received 382 responses. Feedback emphasised the need for fair interpretation and effective implementation practices. 

The PSPO will be applied consistently based on four key principles: Engage, Educate, Explain, and Enforce. This approach was developed in consultation with Cumbria Constabulary. 

Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner secured £1 million in funding from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund, to target Anti-Social Behaviour and serious violence in hotspot areas across the county. 

In response to the successful bid, Operation Enhance is Cumbria Police's new county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour and serious violence, alongside partners including Cumberland Council. 

Extra police patrols are below deployed in areas identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour and/or serious violence across the county.

Tough action is being taken against offenders by police and partner agencies, utilising the full force of the law, as well as civil powers, to target those people whose behaviour is blighting their local community.

The operation will see extra patrols in 18 areas identified by statistical analysis as the county's hotspot areas of anti-social behaviour and serious violence.

For more information on Operation Enhance, please visit: Commissioner and Constabulary to crackdown on anti-social behaviour and serious violence across Cumbria - Cumbria Constabulary. 

For more details and to view the full document that was agreed at the Executive Meeting, please go to Cumberland Council’s web site.

Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said: 

“I would like to thank members of the Executive Committee for agreeing the new PSPO areas, which in many cases can work alongside Cumbria Constabulary to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“I would like also to like to thank our partners, residents and businesses who took part in the consultation process. The feedback has been invaluable in shaping this revised Public Space Protection Order, which has been harmonised for Cumberland Council.

“The PSPO is crucial in safeguarding our community, ensuring its safety, and upholding the high standards of the council's environment and green spaces so that everyone can enjoy living, working and visiting the area”.

Chief Superintendent Mick Bird, Cumbria Constabulary, said:

“Anti-social behaviour is regularly identified as one of the biggest concerns that are members of our local communities hold.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour and improving the quality of life for those who live and work in an affected area requires a holistic approach which is supported by various agencies. 

“We welcome Cumberland Council’s adoption of the new Public Space Protection Order, and we look forward to continuing our work with them as part of our new county-wide operation to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence.

“Operation Enhance aims to not just react to anti-social behaviour or violence but stop it before it starts by putting in place visible patrols by officers and close working with our partners in hotspot areas. Not only will these officers be a visible deterrent, but they will also be in position to take swift and decisive action if any incidents occur in their locality."