Confusion as lead councillor asks PCC & Wrexham Council why town doesn’t have PSPO – despite three in place

A Lead Councillor has asked Wrexham Council & the Police and Crime Commissioner why Wrexham does not have a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), despite the town having them.

Councillor Terry Evans, lead member for economic development and regeneration for Wrexham and has been taking the lead on improving Wrexham town centre. Cllr Evans has been very vocal on documenting issues in the town, and has indicated several times he believes more enforcement is required – last night asking why Wrexham doesn’t have a similar PSPO as in place in Shrewsbury.

PSPO’s provide a framework for both some council and police enforcement to take place under certain criteria, and have become a common tool to help tackle anti-social behaviour. PSPO’s are also used for other issues, with another in place across the county borough to help tackle dog fouling.

The below is part of the PSPO text in place covering a vast area of Wrexham town centre.

The twitter discussions between Cllr Evans and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Arfon Jones have become quite common, with a public debate over the Groves recently, and 24 hours earlier a micro-debate over PSCO funding.

@Wrexham Biggest Town in North wales just doing a street inspection no visual police presence on duty today issues in bus station @ArfonJ

— Cllr Terry Evans (@terryevans) October 27, 2017

After local police pointed out their disappointment at the comments (and then documented some of their town patrol the next day) the PCC replied below, pointing out Police Community Support Officer 100% funding cut is proposed by the administration Clr Evans is part of.

Understandable Dave, especially as @terryevans is a lead member on a cabinet that puts up cuts to PCSO’s as a saving.

— Arfon Jones (@ArfonJ) October 27, 2017

Late on Saturday evening Cllr Evans posted a picture of a PSPO sign from Shrewsbury, tweeting it to us here at Wrexham.com along with Wrexham Council and the PCC asking ‘why have we not got one in Wrexham ?’

The exchange is archived below, where we replied referencing stories we had written about the implementation process – plus noting that Cllr Evans did not respond to our election Q&A where we told prospective Councillors about the existence of the PSPO.

Clr Evans PSPO debate – Curated tweets by wrexham

Top pic: One of the many signs in Wrexham town centre indicating where the PSPO is, plus what is and what is not allowed.