Rushborough Council is proposing to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in the town centre to address a number of ongoing anti-social behaviour issues that are affecting residents, businesses, and visitors.

A PSPO is a legal order under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 that allows the Council to put in place conditions on the use of public spaces. Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence and can result in a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 or prosecution.

Over the past 12 months, the Council, Rushborough Business Improvement District, and local police have received a significant increase in reports of:

• Aggressive begging in the High Street pedestrian zone
• Street drinking and associated litter in Market Square and St Anne's Gardens
• Illegal street trading without a licence
• Cycling in pedestrianised areas

The proposed PSPO would apply to the area bounded by Station Road, Riverside Walk, Church Lane, and the A412 ring road. It would prohibit aggressive begging, the consumption of alcohol in public (where an authorised officer asks a person to stop), unlicensed street trading, and cycling in the pedestrian zone between 10am and 6pm.

We want to hear your views on whether these prohibitions are appropriate and proportionate, and whether you think there are other issues that should be addressed.