The Mayor of Tower Hamlets has welcomed new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour on Brick Lane.
T
he decision came after more than 400 residents and businesses responded by post and online to a consultation on whether a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) should be introduced in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour (ASB) and improve the quality of life for local communities around Brick Lane.
84 per cent of respondents consulted about the PSPO said ASB around Brick Lane was detrimental to their quality of life. They added that the PSPO would help reduce those issues.
A three year order has now been introduced, giving the police and council enforcement officers powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices if conditions in the order are breached.
This includes:
No urinating or defecating within the restricted area
No begging within the restricted area
No touting in the restricted area
Not acting in a manner to cause annoyance, distress, alarm to any person within the restricted area
If asked to stop drinking or hand over alcohol by an officer, you are required to do so
Only four per cent of respondents did not support the PSPO. Issues around Brick Lane include touting, urinating in public places, busking and begging.
John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets said:
“This order gives the police and council more powers to tackle anti-social behaviour head on as people who behave badly can now be prosecuted or fined. It is just one of the initiatives we are introducing to make Tower Hamlets a better place to live, work and visit for everyone.”
Councillor Asma Begum, cabinet member for Community Safety added:
“We are committed to finding new ways to stop people from causing misery to those who live in the Brick Lane area. I meet people frequently in my surgery who are worried about ASB and understand the terrible impact it can have on people’s lives.”
Visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/bricklanePSPO for further information and a copy of the order. To report anti-social behaviour, call 101. In an emergency, call 999.
Neighbourhood Policing Teams have Ward Panels to discuss issues with local people every two to three months. To find out more, go to: http://content.met.police.uk/borough/towerhamlets
Did you know?
In the annual residents’ survey (2016) which measures issues across the whole of Tower Hamlets, crime was a top priority for residents, although levels of concern about ASB issues had dropped in three out of the four areas monitored compared to 2015.
8 per cent of residents felt rubbish or litter was a ‘fairly’ or ‘very’ big problem in their local area, down seven points from last year.
39 per cent felt people being drunk or rowdy was a problem, down six points.
33 per cent felt vandalism, graffiti and criminal damage was a problem, down five points on last year and an all-time historical low.
Around half (51 per cent) of those surveyed felt that people using or dealing drugs was a big problem in their local area similar to last year’s level (54 per cent), but well below the percentage recorded in 2014 (59 per cent).
– Press realise