New powers which aim to tackle anti-social behaviour in Chesterfield neighbourhoods – including nuisance drivers – are in force.
A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which will help tackle street drinking, nuisance begging and anti-social behaviour using a vehicle, is now in operation. It applies to a large area of Chesterfield, from the town centre up to Chesterfield Trading Estate, and from Littlemoor shops across to Sainsbury's.
The proposal was subject to a public consultation which ran during spring 2024 – with the plans receiving strong levels of support from members of the public and key stakeholders.
The introduction of the new powers is based on clear evidence that the area covered by the protection order has been subjected to consistent anti-social behaviour issues, with more than 700 incidents recorded between February 2023 and the end of March this year.
The new rules are in place for an initial period of three years, and it is a crime to breach the restrictions set out by the PSPO.
Councillor Steve Lismore, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We know anti-social behaviour can be a huge blight on people’s lives, causing worry and distress. We have listened to the concerns of local people and – backed up by the numbers of incidents which have happened in the area covered by the order – have taken action to give the authorities greater power to tackle these issues.
“It follows consultation with local people on the proposals, during which we received overwhelming support for the plans.
“Breaching the terms of this order is a criminal offence and the introduction of these new powers should send a clear message to would-be offenders: nuisance behaviour won’t be tolerated, and you will face consequences for your actions.”
The PSPO requires anyone found drinking alcohol on the streets within the PSPO area, to hand over open or unopened alcohol vessels or containers.
The PSPO will also ban:
- Urinating and defecating in public except for within a recognised public toilet.
- Loitering around shops or cash points for the purpose of begging.
- Behaviour that causes nuisance, alarm, or distress to another person.
- Stunts using a motor vehicle including doughnuts, skidding, handbrake turns and wheel spinning.
- Loud music or noise from a vehicle that causes a nuisance to others.
- Causing a danger or risk of injury to others by speeding or racing in a motor vehicle.
- Causing an obstruction on a public highway, whether moving or stationary, including driving in convoy in a motor vehicle.
Inspector Kara Simpson, who leads the policing teams across Chesterfield, said: “We wholeheartedly welcome the new Public Space Protection Orders in the town.
“There has been significant partnership working in past months around anti-social behaviour – with more than 250 targeted anti-social behaviour patrols taking place this year. As well as these patrols we have also used dispersal orders to combat some of these behaviours, alongside targeted stop and search powers where appropriate.
“These new powers will help support the work of the teams across the town and we will continue to work closely with the council and all our partners to make sure that Chesterfield remains a nice place to live, work, and visit.”
Several Public Space Protection Orders already apply in Chesterfield, including the Town Centre PSPO which aims to tackle street drinking and anti-social behaviour, and the Dog Control PSPO which govern where dogs can be walked and when they should be kept on leads.
To find out more about the Public Space Protection Orders that apply in Chesterfield visit our Public Space Protection Orders page.
