Tavistock park to get public space protection order

Yobs take note!

West Devon Borough Council has approved plans for a public space protection order’ (PSPO) in ‘The Meadows’, often known as Tavistock Park.

Members of the council’s hub committee voted unanimously on the issue on Tuesday. 

The move follows a recommendation by Tavistock Town Council to the borough council for order following growing concern about a rise in anti-social behaviour in the area. 

Only the local authority can make a PSPO in respect of a public place in its area. Parish and town councils do not have the power to issue such orders.  

The PSPO proposal had unanimous support from all those who took part in consultation in the summer. The plans were also supported by police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez, who wrote: “I am acutely aware that in recent months the area has experienced issues related to antisocial behaviour and disorder. The impact of this behaviour should not be understated and it is important that swift action is taken to ensure the safety and resilience of the local community. 

“I believe that the dual restrictions on antisocial behaviour and alcohol that the proposed PSPO would introduce will act as a useful preventative tool to intercept antisocial conduct and street drinking, sending a message to offenders that such behaviour will not be tolerated” 

Tavistock has endured more than 160 instances of anti-social behaviour in the past 12 months.

The public space protection order forbids or restricts certain things in specific areas. Whilst there will not be a total ban on alcohol in The Meadows the order will insist that park users 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.” 

Behave yourself in the area marked red or else

Earlier West Devon Borough Council’s lead member for leisure, health and wellbeing Cllr Tony Leech (Ind, Okehampton North) said: “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.”

He added: “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.”

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

Local crime figures were examined and revealed: 

• 167 instances of anti-social behaviour reported in Tavistock over the past 12 months.
• Antisocial behaviour accounted for 31 per cent of all crimes reported in Tavistock.
• 38 per cent of these reports originate from “The Meadows”, totalling 11 per cent of all reported crimes.
• The council said it had been working closely with local police, town council and the community to tackle anti-social behaviour in Tavistock and now feel that an antisocial behaviour order is an appropriate measure to take to deal with it.

West Devon Borough Council hub members accepted the recommendations  and all councillors voted to introduce the new measures.