Extension of powers to stop dog fouling, littering and anti-social behaviour in Ashfield

It comes as Ashfield Council renews its public spaces protection order across the entire district, aimed at clamping down on people causing a public “nuisance”.

The authority’s cabinet approved the three-year extension this week, following a six-week public consultation.

During the consultation, residents backed powers to fine people who do not pick up after their dogs, who do not carry bags for their animal’s waste, and viewed the authority should have the right to ask an owner to put their dog on a lead.

Respondents also backed powers to ban dogs from entering children’s enclosed play areas and sports areas such as tennis courts, the confiscation of alcohol and fines for street drinkers, fines for public urination, and the forced removal of people causing a public nuisance or annoyance.

The PSPO, which affects all council wards in the Ashfield district, was approved by the cabinet and will go before the council for final approval tomorrow, Thursday, September 23.

‘Safe and strong’

Coun Helen-Ann Smith, council portfolio holder for community safety and crime reduction, told cabinet members: “The PSPO has supported our ‘safe and strong’ priorities. It remains key for the council and Nottinghamshire Police, in providing an effective response to tackling anti-social behaviour and environmental crime across the district.”

The extension of the PSOP also includes a variation to the order, granting the local authority more powers to clamp down on ‘car cruisers’ near Junction 27 of the M1, near Annesley Woodhouse.

It will also lead to the closure of a strip of land between Bentinck Street and Welbeck Street, in Sutton, which has been described in the past as a ‘nightmare’ for anti-social behaviour.

Coun Samantha Deakin, who represents Central Sutton and New Cross ward on the council, where the stretch of land is based, said: “It’s good news about Bentinck Street to Welbeck Street, this is something we have been working on since I was elected a few years ago.

“It’s been an anti-social behaviour hotspot area, and a pain in the backside, for a very long time for both residents and myself.”

The PSPO must be extended after three years to prevent these powers from expiring and becoming invalid.

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