Spitting, smoking and cycling in Mansfield could soon cost you £1,000

Spitting in Mansfield could result in a £1,000 fine after new orders were passed to clampdown on anti-social behaviour.
Mansfield town centreMansfield town centre
Mansfield town centre

Coming into force from the start of August, the new powers has seen a ban on the sale and use of legals highs, forces dog walkers to carry poo bags at all times, prevents smoking at council-owned play areas and bans cycling throughout Mansfield town centre.

It will also give council wardens the powers to disperse potential nuisance groups from areas.

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The decision was taken at Mansfield District Council’s recent full meeting with the public spaces protection order (PSPO) unanimously backed by all of the 31 councillors present.

Councillor Mick Barton, portfolio holder for public protection said: “We want people to feel safe and secure in Mansfield and we believe the vast majority of people will be supportive of these measures and will abide by them.

“The issue of people riding their bicycles in the pedestrianised areas in Mansfield has been a long-standing problem, with complaints raised by members of the public and market traders.

“So-called legal highs were recently made illegal and these new powers will reinforce this.

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“We have evidence from the police that these new substances was implicated in numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour last year.

“The new powers will enable us to tackle these issues and make Mansfield a more welcoming place.”

The council wardens will have the powers to issue £100 fixed penalty notices or the offender could be hit with a fine of up to £1,000, should the matter be taken to court.

The PSPO replaces the old designated public place orders and also include a list of new alcohol-free zones including Market Place, all main retail areas, car parks, the bus station and the railway station, Woodhouse Road to Haddon Road, St John Street to Rosemary Street and the streets between.

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There will be a ‘grace period’ of three months when the police and wardens will warn offenders rather than issuing a fine.

This is only where new powers are being introduced, including smoking in children’s play areas and the need to carry poo bags.