Public Space Protection Order proposed for Ashton Town Centre

PEOPLE are being asked to give their views on proposals to introduce a Public Space Protection Order to make Ashton Town Centre safer.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are one of the tools that councils can use to combat anti-social behaviour. The orders can be used to ban specified activities, with failure to comply without reasonable excuse, leading to offenders receiving a fixed penalty notice or a fine of up to £1000.

Local business, residents, MPs and police have identified Ashton town centre as an area that has been seriously affected by anti-social behaviour, particularly when combined with the consumption of alcohol and other intoxicating substances.

In order to address this, Tameside Council is consulting on the introduction of a PSPO covering a defined area of the town centre. Within this area the following activities would be prohibited:

•             Consumption of alcohol.

•             Consumption of intoxicating substances.

•             Discarding a hypodermic needle or syringe.

•             Urinating or defecating outside of a legitimate toilet facility.

•             Other activities believed to pose a health and safety risk, including obstructing public spaces and erecting tents or other temporary structures.

Residents and business are being encouraged to give their views on the proposal. The feedback from the six week long consultation will be reviewed before a final decision is made. The consultation, which closes at midnight on 3 October 2022, can be found here: Ashton Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) Consultation

Tameside Council Executive Member for Town Centres and Communities Cllr Vimal Choksi said: “We have been working hard with the police, the community and other partners to tackle anti-social behaviour and make Tameside a great place to live, work and visit.

“Occurrences of anti social behaviour do appear to have become an issue in Ashton Town Centre since the lifting of covid restrictions and we have been looking at different ways of tackling this. A Police Dispersal Order for the area was recently put in place for a weekend, with GMP Specialist Operations involved. The action was very effective and well received by shopkeepers and the community. We want to build on this great partnership working and continue to support the police and council officers in making the town more pleasant and safer for residents and visitors.

“Please do take part in the consultation and let us know what you think.”