People visiting central Swindon could face fines for riding electric scooters and drinking alcohol in the street under a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
The order has come into force, aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour and making the area safer and more welcoming for shoppers, businesses and residents.
Under the new rules, people are banned from street drinking, urinating in public places, riding e-scooters or e-bikes, or cycling in a way that endangers pedestrians.
It means officers can issue on-the-spot fines of up to £100 for breaches, with repeat offenders risking prosecution and fines of up to £1,000.
Swindon Borough Council’s Community Safety Wardens will also have powers to issue fines.
Ahead of the order being introduced, more than 730 people took part in a public consultation on the plans. Ninety per cent of people responding backed the order.
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, welcomed the PSPO, and the difference it will make to the retail areas.
“We’re committed to creating a town centre where people feel safe and want to spend time in,” he said.
“The PSPO is an important step in supporting our police partners to take action against a number of individuals whose behaviour has a negative impact on the area.”
This view was backed up by Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson.
He said: “Through working with Wiltshire Police and our partners to use ASB hotspot funding to increase police patrols and continue to employ Community Safety Wardens in Swindon, we can use the PSPO as a tool to effectively tackle the anti-social behaviour which has a profoundly negative effect on the lives of our residents.
“By working collaboratively, we will create a better and safer environment for our residents, shoppers and retailers in Swindon town centre and Broadgreen.”
The PSPO orders give police officers additional powers to tackle nuisance behaviours in Swindon and are a welcome addition to Wiltshire Police’s toolkit, said Local Inspector David Tippetts.
“Anti-social behaviour in the town centre, whether that’s through things like street drinking or dangerous riding of e-bikes and e-scooters, has a detrimental impact on the area, deterring members of the public who might wish to come into the town centre and support local businesses,” he said.
“Through ongoing work with our partners, we’re determined to make the town centre and Broadgreen more pleasant places for all.”
