Council plans to renew antisocial behaviour crackdown at city arcade

Newport Council is planning to renew an order cracking down on antisocial behaviour at the city’s Market Arcade.

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) gives officers powers to move people on from target areas and potentially issue fines to troublemakers.

Linking High Street and Market Street, the arcade has received “substantial investment” as part of the regeneration of that area of central Newport, and a council report describes it as a resurgent and “vital part of city-centre life”.

PSPOs last for three years, and a cabinet member is expected to push ahead with plans to extend the order for the Market Arcade, following a public consultation period.

The council first enforced an order, in 2020, in response to antisocial behaviour and concerns poor behaviour could threaten the arcade’s regeneration proposals.

Complaints of property damage, graffiti, drug use and the arcade “being used as a toilet” were reported to the council, which responded by introducing gates to prevent public access during the night.

The action was “very successful” and the gates “eliminated” late-night problems and “improved the experience of using the market during the day, for members of the public and businesses”, a new report explains.

However, the council admitted antisocial behaviour “remains a risk within the city centre” – which has its own PSPO – and “has increased in recent months”.

The council has proposed renewing the Market Arcade order in response, which would continue the policy of locking the gates and preventing public access in the evenings and nights.

Members of the public will likely be given a two-week consultation period to offer their views on the proposal, before a final decision is made on the renewal by all councillors.