New measures to tackle anti-social behaviour given green light for Stockton and Norton
Orders banning irresponsible driving and loitering, letting dogs off leads and toileting in Stockton town centre have been agreed by leaders.
Orders banning irresponsible driving and loitering, letting dogs off leads and toileting in Stockton town centre have been agreed by leaders.
The new “public space protection orders” (PSPOs) approved by Stockton Council’s cabinet last night (Thursday, March 12) will come into force in April. They have expanded from combined orders focusing on street drinking and aggressive begging to separate three-year orders for Stockton and Norton town centres including new locations and behaviour.
The Stockton order now includes a ban on urinating and defecating in street “in order to simplify enforcement against such acts”. It includes requirements to put dogs on leads except in Trinity Gardens, pick up dog foul and move motorhomes or tents if they are believed to be used for an overnight stay, with new locations covered including Splash, Parkfield shops, Trinity Gardens and the Change Grow Live drug and alcohol treatment service.
Both Stockton and Norton orders still target drinking in certain areas and begging in a threatening or intimidating way which would cause people “harassment, alarm or distress”, following people or begging near a cash machine or bus stop. They also now prohibit anti-social loitering and driving vehicles including mopeds, quad bikes, off-road bikes, e-scooters or bikes.
Community safety assistant director Marc Stephenson told cabinet the orders built on existing PSPOs since 2023, expiring next month. He said there was “substantial and diverse evidence” including police intelligence, council data, business representations and more than 500 consultation responses showing overwhelming support, with 67% to 95% of respondents highlighting the problems.
He said some of the behaviour had reduced but “remain persistent and detrimental, particularly in Stockton town centre. And they do continue to undermine public confidence and the local economy.
“These powers will only be used where behaviour meets the legal definition of anti-social behaviour. It will not be used to penalise rough sleeping in the absence of ASB.”
The PSPOs will be enforced by police, community support officers and the council. Breaches are a criminal offence and can earn a £100 fixed penalty notices or prosecution.
Councillor Norma Stephenson, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Getting to where we are now has taken over people’s lives. It’s been a long journey.
“I think proposals strengthen and expand the existing one. We’ve identified weak areas from the last one, I don’t want to send officers out to their job with one arm tied behind their back, and this loosens that somewhat.”
She later said they had listened and acted on residents’ concerns and clear desire for other forms of anti-social behaviour to be tackled, and the orders would reassure people before the opening of the Stockton Waterfront urban park.
Cllr Paul Rowling, Labour member for Stockton town centre and deputy council leader, said people expected them to make a difference and the changes would give officers further powers helping make the high streets safer and more welcoming. He said: “I’m absolutely convinced that this is what we should be doing.
“There’s a lot of noise about Stockton town centre, and all of us at this table aren’t naive. We know there are some challenges, but a lot of challenges are often I think blown out of proportion.”
His fellow town centre member Cllr Pauline Beall, cabinet member for health and social care, said it brought agencies together to tackle persistent crime and anti-social behaviour in a supportive, cohesive way: “We’re not just addressing the crime, we’re looking at everything behind it. This will help enormously.
“It’s meeting the requirements of our residents, who at times have felt uncomfortable in the town centre. Some of it is perceived as well, but it is about us being creative so we can produce a thriving town centre, safe environments and healthy and safe people.”