Following recent events in Ilfracombe with varying levels of Anti-social behaviour taking place on the beaches in Ilfracombe, it is proposed that the existing public space protection order for anti-social behaviour be extended to include Wildermouth Beach, the Harbour beach and Cheyne beach and that this take place prior to the start of the summer holiday season.
In October 2014, the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Crime and Policing Act 2014 was brought into force, giving Local Authorities and the Police more effective powers to deal with Anti-Social Behaviour.
The current PSPO, included within section 3 below, made under Section 59 of the Anti-Social, Crime and Policing Act 2014 requires:
The terms of the order are that any person within the Restricted Areas, whilst in a street or any other public place to which the public have access without payment, shall:
1) Surrender any intoxicating substance in their possession to an authorised person when requested to do so by that **authorised person, if:
(i) they are found to be ingesting, inhaling, injecting, smoking or otherwise using an intoxicating substance or substances; or
(ii) they are in possession of such *intoxicating substance or substances with the intent of using such intoxicating substance within this area; or
(iii) the authorised person has reasonable grounds to believe that such person is using or intends to use the intoxicating substance or substances within the said area.
2) Not to behave (either individually or in a group of two or more people) in a manner that has caused or is likely to cause a member of the public to suffer harassment, alarm, or distress by that behaviour.
*Intoxicating Substance is given the following definition (which includes alcohol and 'new psychoactive substances' i.e. substances with the capacity to stimulate or depress the central nervous system).
**An authorised person shall be a Police Constable, Police Community Support Officer or authorised North Devon Council Officer, who must be able to present their authority upon request.
North Devon Council has the power to review the existing public space protection order for anti-social behaviour and consider the extension to include the additional areas.
The purpose of the consultation is to seek stakeholder views on the proposed extension to the public space protection order to address anti-social behaviour in Ilfracombe.
This consultation will run from Monday 17 June 2024 until midday on Monday 8 July 2024.