Public Spaces Protection Orders for Ashford town centre and Henley Fields – Consultations to be launched

Ashford Borough Council is consulting on the renewal of its Public Spaces Protection Orders for both Ashford town centre and to a footpath near Henley Fields in Tenterden. They will allow the council to maintain a range of measures to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) issues and help to improve community safety and the local environment in these areas.

The consultation for Henley Fields begins on 10 September 2023 and runs until midnight on 8 October 2023. The consultation for Ashford town centre (Ashford Urban) begins on 22 September and finishes 20 October 2023.

These PSPOs have been in operation for the last six years having been identified as necessary by the council and police following reports and complaints received from local residents.

PSPOs allow councils to tackle anti-social behaviour which takes place in a specific, geographical area (as opposed to criminal behaviour orders and injunctions which are directed at individuals). A PSPO is tailored for defined activities, meaning that anyone carrying them out in an area under one of these orders can be prosecuted. Examples of these include anti-social behaviour, drinking and urinating in public.

Following the end of each consultation period, all responses will be analysed and the results reported back to the council. The council will then decide whether any changes need to be made.

Cllr. Liz Wright, portfolio holder for Communities and Health said: “Everyone has the right to peaceful enjoyment of their use of our public spaces. The public rightly expects us to clamp down on unacceptable behaviour on our streets and a PSPO gives the police and the council the power to deal with these types of activities immediately and where they occur. Many incidents can be resolved with nothing more than a firm word but if that doesn’t work then the police and the council will not hesitate to take the necessary enforcement action.”