Barnstaple pannier market taking steps to stamp out ASB

The barriers will be closed for longer

A public space protection order (PSPO) in Barnstaple to stamp out early morning anti-social behaviour (ASB) incidents in the pannier market has been amended.

Barriers to a public right of way through the centre of the market will be kept closed for longer to stop the intimidating behaviour, people drinking alcohol and urinating which has occurred since the market reopened in August 2023 following extensive refurbishment.

The PSPO was introduced by North Devon Council in 2018 and bans activities like drinking alcohol, littering and skateboarding in the market area. It included shutting off a public right of way between Butchers Row and Market Street overnight between 6pm and 5am.

Councillors were told this week that the order had broadly worked, but since the market reopened there had been nine incidents between 5am and 7.30am, with police being called to two of them.

Town centre manager Hannah Harrington told councillors that 85 per cent of people who took part in a public consultation wanted to keep the barriers closed until 7.30am.

Those against commented on the toilets being inaccessible and that crime is the responsibility of police, not the council.

Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence which can be enforced by police officers, police community support officers and some council officers.

Ms Harrington said public disorder and street drinking, breaching a PSPO covering the town centre area, is rife and increasing.

She said this would inevitably transfer to the pannier market if the PSPO there is not renewed.

Data from August 2023 to November 2024 showed that the pannier market was the third highest hotspot area for ASB in the town centre after the High Street and bus station.

Before the barriers were in place the whole market was accessible at all hours and there had been a long history of anti-social behaviour in the building overnight, intensifying up to 2018, especially in winter, Ms Harrington said.

Councillor supported the renewal of the PSPO for three years with the barrier closing between 6pm and 7.30am.