Council set to renew Public Spaces Protection Order

Councillors have backed plans to tackle antisocial behaviour in public spaces.

The plans, which will be decided by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet, would see new areas added to the council’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

These changes are part of the renewal of the PSPO, which covers particular areas of the borough.

The maximum length of a PSPO is three years, which is why the council are renewing the current one.

Following a public consultation put forward by the council’s Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee, 87% of respondents agreed that the current PSPO should be extended for another three years and 96% agreed that additional areas should be added.

The following areas will be added to the new PSPO in an attempt to combat antisocial behaviour:

• Hengoed Railway Station.
• Birchgrove, Tirphil
• Rhymney Library Car Park.
• Cefn Fforest and Pengam Eco Park, including Dylan Avenue.
• Crosskeys Railway Station.
• Risca Road, Crosskeys.

One respondent in the Blackwood area said: “This proposal is reasonable and can only mean that the areas mentioned are more inviting and safer.”

Some of the reasons respondents gave for backing the extension of the PSPO include wanting to tackle excessive alcohol drinking and loitering, as well as making the public feel safer.

According to a report presented to the Environment and Sustainability Committee meeting, held on Tuesday October 26, Gwent Police has received 244 complaints of antisocial behaviour, crime and disorder at Blackwood bus station alone in the past three years.

Under the PSPO it is an offence for an individual to continue drinking alcohol if they have been told to stop by an authorised officer.

PSPOs are created to prevent antisocial behaviour in public spaces.

One respondent, particularly concerned about groups of youths congregating in the Crosskeys area, said: “I understand with the pandemic children have been kept in, but now lockdown is over they are out of control. It desperately needs addressing and policing.”

The new PSPO will be presented to the council’s cabinet, which will decide whether the plans go ahead.