Anti-social behaviour prevention orders approved

Newark and Sherwood District Council  A pile of rubbish left by fly-tippers Newark and Sherwood District Council
Eakring Road, near Sherwood Forest, has been "blighted by fly-tipping", a council said

Public orders to tackle street drinking, fires and barbecues in parks, and fly-tipping have been approved in Nottinghamshire.

Newark and Sherwood District Council has announced new and updated Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in areas of the district.

Anyone found in violation of a PSPO could be issued a fine, said the authority.

Councillor Paul Taylor said: "We remain as committed to tackling anti-social behaviour rates as ever."

Newark and Sherwood District Council  Newark and Sherwood District Council officeNewark and Sherwood District Council
The council said it wanted to tackle nuisance drivers and fly-tippers

A review of existing PSPOs across the district took place, which included a public consultation with 500 responses, the council said.

It comes after a spate of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in the area.

The council said a new PSPO prohibiting of fires and barbecues has been approved for Sconce and Devon Park, while one is already in place in Vicar Water Country Park.

With both sites having a history of blazes, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has backed the measure, the council added.

An order stopping people street drinking in Newark town centre is already in place but, following the review, alcohol will now be taken away from individuals rather than allowing them to finish their drink.

The authority said there will now be restricted access to Eakring Road to prevent nuisance vehicles and protect the area, including Sherwood Forest, from being "blighted by industrial-scale fly tipping".

Dispersal orders in Newark town centre, Balderton Lakes, Coronation Park in Balderton, and Lakeside Shopping Centre in Balderton, will also continue as part of this review, with an area of Hawtonville being added to the list.

Mr Taylor, portfolio holder for public protection and community relations, said: “This updated list of PSPOs takes us in yet another step in the right direction.

"For example, by expanding the areas covered by dispersal orders in Newark town centre and amending the alcohol controls we can crackdown more effectively in areas we know residents have concerns about."

He added the PSPOs were "a great tool to encourage and enforce long-term behaviour change".

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