Town ban on bird feeding to begin next month
LDRSStricter measures to curb rising anti-social behaviour and feeding pigeons in a town centre are to come into force in July.
Darlington Borough Council has updated its Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which allows the issuing of fines to people for being abusive or threatening.
The order, granted at a council meeting on Tuesday, is designed to give officers powers to tackle offenders without needing to arrest them.
The new restrictions will also bring in a public bird feeding ban, following public safety and health concerns from residents and businesses.
The move follows a 125 percent increase in youth-related incidents reported to Cleveland Police, when comparing data from 2023/24 to 2024/25.
Town centre officers have reported a rise in people deliberately riding towards members of the public before veering off at the last moment, causing fear of injury and distress.
Other problems are being caused by bikers, skateboarders and scooter riders performing stunts and riding recklessly on roads and in pedestrian areas, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands.
In addition, people are continuing to feed the "substantial bird population in the town centre", despite signs being put up warning them not to, thereby "contributing to multiple issues for the council, residents and businesses to manage."
Adaptations to local buildings and birds of prey being flown have also been used as a deterrent against the pigeons.
Meanwhile, the new PSPO, which covers all of the borough, will provide additional powers to combat begging, side waste and stray dogs.
A council report stated: "A significant amount of support is in place for those individuals who find themselves homeless and in need of support.
"Officers will routinely make referrals or signpost these individuals to these services."