Crackdown on Antisocial Behaviour at Rhosddu Park & Cemetery Begins

Those found drinking, taking drugs and behaving antisocially at a Wrexham Park now face a £100 fine, under the enforcement of a newly introduced order.

A Public Space Protection Order for Rhosddu Park and Cemetery, which aims to crackdown on antisocial behaviour, is now in force in the area.

The area has had well documented issues, with a thread on our forums branding it a ‘no go’ area due to the anti social issues, with members of the community requesting action with various incidents being documented.

Wrexham.com reported that in the six month period prior to September 2015 there were 48 incidents of anti-social behaviour reported to North Wales Police – including drunkenness, rough sleeping, urinating, excrement, drug dealing and abuse, rowdiness, and fighting.

The PSPO was formally launched at Rhosddu Park by Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities and Partnerships and Cllr Steve Wilson on Wednesday morning.

A PSPO was a power given to local Councils under the new Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act in October 2014. The orders’ allow local Councils to put certain conditions on specific areas which are experiencing problems with Crime or Antisocial Behaviour’.

The launch of the PSPO comes as a result of a series of issues with antisocial behaviour over the past few years, with local residents regularly commenting on issues in the park and cemetery.

Back in July 2015 Wrexham.com reported that a number of residents living in Rhosddu, particularly around the park had called for the area to be made into an alcohol free-zone. As a result of the anti-social behaviour in the area a number of parents have previously stated that they no longer feel comfortable taking their children to the park.

As a result of the antisocial issues, signs are now in place in the area which warn about the types of unacceptable anti social behaviour that could be met with a fine.

Under the new PSPO anyone found drinking, smoking, taking drugs or sleeping rough in the park or cemetery will be issued with a fine.

The Order, which will last for three years, means that anyone who is acting anti socially, such as drinking or abusing drugs, rough sleeping and associated littering in the area can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100 or £75 if paid within 7 days.

Both council staff and police officers have the powers to issue the fines.

It is hoped that the introduction of the PSPO will put a stop to antisocial behaviour in the area.

Coverage

The signage has created some ‘entertainment’ regionally and nationally within Trinity Mirror with the Daily Post opting for the “You wouldn’t believe what Wrexham cemetery and park users are being banned from doing” clickbait teaser, and another tweet branding it “unbelievable”.

It has also been syndicated upwards to their Mirror title, who go with the more tabloid headline: