PCC welcomes positive action to tackle anti-social behaviour in Salisbury

Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, has welcomed the positive effects of measures being taken to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Salisbury.

The introduction of Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in the city earlier this year, has seen Wiltshire Police issue 13 on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) of £100 to people found to be street drinking in the city centre. Failure to pay a FPN could lead to prosecution and a fine on conviction up to £1,000.

The PSPO enables a police officer to approach people street-drinking in the city centre and ask them to stop drinking alcohol and to surrender anything believed to be an alcohol container. The PSPO does not prevent those licensed premises with outdoor seating from serving alcohol. 

In the city centre and surrounding parishes of Laverstock & Ford, Quidhampton, Netherhampton, Wilton, Alderbury, Odstock and Coombe Bissett, the PSPO means it is also an offence to possess any catapult, slingshot or similar items capable of launching a missile, and to possess any item that could be used as a missile, which could cause harm or damage. No FPNs have been issued for a ‘catapult’ offence as yet.

Wiltshire Council’s Community Safety officers have also worked with Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Creative and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to respond to additional concerns about anti-social behaviour, street drinking and drug use in the vicinity of Salisbury Playhouse. The area is adjacent to The Maltings car park, where the natural shelter and privacy it provided were attracting more people to the area.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon successfully applied for funding from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund to provide extra police and anti-social behaviour warden patrols in Salisbury, as well as providing funding from the Safer Streets Fund to install a fence and gate at the Playhouse to protect the property, staff and visitors from further issues. Works to install the new fence were completed at the end of September.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said:

“Since taking office, anti-social behaviour is one of the most common concerns that I hear when talking to residents and I continue to discuss those concerns with the Chief Constable. We are committed to ensuring our communities receive the policing service they expect, and deserve, and I am reassured to see the renewed focus on neighbourhood policing under her leadership.

“Significant progress has been made in recent years to address anti-social behaviour. Within my office, Wiltshire Police - and in partnership with local authorities – we have developed an anti-social behaviour toolkit and we have published our joint Community Remedy to ensure each ASB report is responded to effectively by the most appropriately agency.”

Photo: The newly installed gate at Salisbury Playhouse 

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: 

“Next week will mark ASB Awareness Week 2024 and with the overarching theme being ‘Making Communities Safer’, we are pleased to hear that the Salisbury businesses owners feel that the PSPO is making a difference in the local community.

“The decision to put a Public Spaces Protection Order is not ever done lightly, but in this instance the feedback we received deemed it necessary, and we are glad that it is working to both act as a deterrent to the anti-social behaviour and also to give the Police the required powers to act further where necessary.  We hope this provides that additional assurance that we take safety in Salisbury very seriously, particularly as we head into the Christmas period where people will visit and enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

“We want to thank Wiltshire Police for their support and for helping us to keep our communities safe.”

Inspector Tina Osborn, from the Salisbury community policing team, said,

“The implementation of the PSPO, has enabled officers to deal positively will individuals who continually choose to breach this order.  An appropriate approach will always be taken against those involved in this behaviour but will be managed against the impact it is having on members of the public and businesses.  We know that anti-social behaviour can have devasting impacts on communities and individuals if left untackled.”

Dan Collins, Salisbury BID Operations Manager, said,

“Our security teams in Salisbury have already seen the positive impact of the Public Spaces Protection Order on reducing anti-social behaviour around the city. The ability to address issues like street drinking has made an immediate difference, with the very presence of these powers now acting as a strong deterrent. This approach is helping us create a safer, more welcoming environment for residents, businesses, and visitors, while maintaining the lively atmosphere that makes Salisbury such a great place to be."

To find out more about the PSPO in Salisbury, maps of the areas involved and what is included in the order, people can visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community-safety-pspo-salisbury

To find out more about anti-social behaviour and where to report it, please visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community-safety-anti-social-behaviour

Published Friday 24 November