Tavistock backs park anti-social orders

Clampdown on booze gets thumbs-up

People in Tavistock, where there have been over 160 instances of anti-social behaviour in the past 12 months, say they back plans to get tough on the problem. 

A public consultation on whether to introduce a public space protection order’ (PSPO) in ‘The Meadows’, often known as Tavistock Park, showed unanimous support for the plan. 

Councillors in West Devon will discuss a recommendation to introduce the new powers when they meet next Tuesday. 

The public space protection order forbids or restricts certain things being done in specific areas. 

West Devon Borough Council is not proposing a total ban on alcohol in The Meadows, but is asking members of the public if they would agree to rules such as not acting “in a manner that is causing or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress in the designated area.”

On alcohol, the the rules demand that “alcohol must be disposed of or surrendered if requested by an authorised officer.” 

West Devon Borough Council’s lead member for leisure, health and wellbeing, Cllr Tony Leech (Ind, Okehampton North), said: “Strengthening our communities, and ensuring we have communities that people are proud of, is a core aim of the council in our plan for West Devon.  

“Listening to residents and actively working with partners to address issues like anti-social behaviour in The Meadows illustrates how we are putting these words into action.

“In this case, a lot of work had to be done first to make sure that a PSPO is an appropriate measure to take to deal with anti-social behaviour. This process involved consulting with the community and partners to identify the need for a PSPO, as well as taking into consideration evidence of anti-social behaviour in the past.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views this summer. It is clear that local residents, businesses and organisations support the proposed measures to manage anti-social behaviour and to help maintain a happy atmosphere in our town.

“We want The Meadows to be safe and enjoyed by everyone and will not sit back and allow a small minority to ruin it for everyone else.”

In August, residents spoke to the local democracy reporter service for Devon, broadly welcoming tougher measures.  

Tavistock proposal Public Space Protection Order area (courtesy: West Devon Borough Council)

Carol Honey said: “If it concerns the alcohol and stopping that in the park then I’m in total agreement with that. I mean this is a place for the children and we don’t want people drinking here.” 

Dad, Ben Searle, also agreed with the PSPO but thought it should go even further.  “I think it’s a great idea to enforce a restrictive zone to keep the children safe,” he said.

“To be honest, in my opinion, there shouldn’t be any alcohol allowed in the park or any substance of that nature and I’d be more than supportive of it.”

The council said it was working closely with the local police, town council and community to tackle anti-social behaviour in Tavistock and wanted to be sure that a PSPO was an appropriate measure to take to deal with it.

The process involved consulting with the community and partners to identify the need for a PSPO, as well as taking into consideration evidence of past anti-social behaviour. 

Local crime figures were examined while preparing the recommendation and revealed: 

167 instances of anti-social behaviour reported in Tavistock over the past 12 months
Anti-social behaviour accounted for 31 per cent of all crimes reported in the town
38 per cent of these reports originate from “The Meadows”, totalling 11 per cent of all reported crimes.
West Devon Borough Council ‘hub members’ will now consider the recommendations on Tuesday 2 November.  

Categories: Policing