Council prosecutes PSPO penalty notice evaders

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has successfully prosecuted them for failing to pay fixed penalty notices – issued following recent incidents of anti-social behaviour – with fines and costs totalling almost £1,500 for both cases.

The PSPO – made by the council and enforced by officers as well as Staffordshire Police – prohibits a range of negative and unwanted behaviour from anyone in the town centre including verbal abuse, using or threatening to use violence, congregating in groups, carrying out graffiti, persistent and aggressive begging, drug-taking and drinking alcohol. Anyone found in breach of the conditions can be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice for breaking the law, payable within 14 days, to discharge their liability for a criminal conviction.

Both individuals were ordered to appear before magistrates in November. The first defendant was fined £660 and is also required to pay a £264 victim surcharge and council costs of £164.50 within 28 days – totalling £1,088.50 – after the case was proven in their absence thanks to crucial evidence from body camera footage. They were under the influence, had their hands down their trousers and caused harassment, alarm and distress through their behaviour and language.

The second person was fined £332.50 after being caught drinking alcohol, using abusive language and causing other issues.

Cllr. Gill Heesom, Cabinet member for Community Safety and Well-being, said:

Public Space Protection Orders are intended to deal with nuisance or problems in specific areas that persistently have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of residents and other stakeholders. In order for the PSPO to be effective in Newcastle town centre – so that the law-abiding majority can use and enjoy the area free from anti-social behaviour – the borough council actively enforces it and pursues all cases of non-payment of fixed penalty notices.

 

The council is working really hard to make the town centre a vibrant, safer, welcoming and more pleasant place to be for everyone – while another priority is creating safe communities – so it will not tolerate negative and unwanted behaviour under any circumstances.

 

This is a great result. These two individuals didn’t take the PSPO seriously on two separate occasions and now they are paying a heavy price for it. If they had paid their fixed penalty notices in the first place, it would have saved a lot of time for everyone involved and resulted in heavily reduced financial penalties.”

Separate PSPOs are in place for Queen Elizabeth Park and parks and open spaces. More recently, the council has secured a fourth one – the first of its kind in the borough – prohibiting cruising by cars and motorbikes when associated behaviour causes harassment, alarm and distress to residents and communities. This does not target charity rides or anyone going about their lawful business.

More information about PSPOs is available on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s website.