Town Centre Protection Order Goes Live From Monday

The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is taking effect from Monday, and will be in place for three years.

The PSPO aims to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a specific area that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life. The first PSPO was proposed then approved in Rhosddu.

Following public consultation in May and June 2016 the geography of the PSPO was extended, and the final list of things the PSPO will cover, if occurring inside the area on the map, is stated as:

• Any person is prohibited from behaving in a manner that is likely to cause harassment, alarm, nuisance or distress in the restricted area
• The consumption of alcohol or being in possession of an open container(s) of alcohol by any person is prohibited in the restricted area.
• Any person is prohibited from loitering in a state of intoxication or through drug induced activity in the restricted area
• Any person(s) within the restricted area is prohibited from eating, drinking, inhaling, injecting, smoking or otherwise using any intoxicating substances or the preparations for any such activities. (This includes alcohol and any other legally obtained product which is intoxicating in nature)
• Defecating or urinating in the restricted area
• That sleeping within Wrexham Bus Station in King Street, and any public toilet facilities within the Wrexham Town Centre during the hours of darkness is prohibited.

The fixed penalty notice fine is set at £100 (£75 early payment discount) for breaches of PSPO conditions.

There have been concerns over displacement of problems to areas outside of the PSPO zone.

Wrexham Council say, “Enforcement officers from WCBC and North Wales Police will work to support the ‘visible vulnerable’ (particularly those with mental health concerns) who may be subject to the PSPO to ensure that the PSPO is used appropriately and effectively. For example informal warnings maybe issued on the first occasion or officers may consider using the Community Remedy to support the offender into engaging with substance misuse services rather than prosecuting them via the PSPO.”

Additional information notes ‘Volunteer Members from Champions House Recovery Hub will assist in providing outreach work to individuals, co-ordinating interventions and engagement across hot spot areas. They will assess the individual’s needs and signpost them to appropriate and relevant services.’

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Place – Communities and Partnerships has commented: “Wrexham is the largest town in North Wales and attracts visitors from a wide area, to both its daytime and night-time economy. New developments in recent years, and in the future will continue to improve the offer to residents and visitors alike.

“To support this hard work there is a need to ensure that our town is safe, attractive and pleasant in order to enhance the attractions available to residents and visitors. I welcome the Wrexham town PSPO and believe it will support the development of Wrexham town as well as offer support to vulnerable members of our community.

“We will be reviewing the effectiveness of the PSPO and continuing to work in Partnership on our wider town centre action plan, which aims to reduce inappropriate behaviour in the town centre, reduce vulnerability and reduce demand on services.”