Police in Abingdon have been granted new powers to fine people who cause vehicle related noise nuisance.
The new order, which also includes existing powers to help police tackle alcohol related anti-social behaviour, was given overwhelming backing by the public with more the than 89 per cent of people who took part in the consultation approving the measure.
This follows concerns over incidents in the town’s car parks, where deliberate vehicle noise was causing a disturbance for people living nearby, Vale of White Horse District Council consulted local people on a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to allow police to fine people who are causing the problem up to £100.
The Abingdon PSPO was approved at the council’s cabinet meeting on 30 June and, subject to scrutiny, will be implemented from August 2017.
Cllr Eric Batts, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Revving of engines, loud music and other anti-social behaviour has been a cause for concern in Abingdon’s car parks for some time. The public have given their overwhelming support to the new order and, as a result, we’ve approved the measure, meaning that local police now have the power to tackle the problem.”
Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) allows police to target specific anti-social behaviour offences that occur in public areas. Orders can be tailored to the needs of a local area so police can specifically target the anti-social behaviour that affects residents
The new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Abingdon replaces the town’s Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) which has been in place since 2009. It includes the existing power for police to ask people to stop drinking alcohol if they are behaving anti-socially in a public area and to confiscate their alcohol if they do not comply. An Officer can fine them if they refuse.
If someone is drinking in a public area but not causing any problems they will not be affected by the order.
The order also does not apply to licensed premises, including beer gardens or seating areas.