Lewisham Council launches public consultation to tackle antisocial behaviour
Last November, Mayor and Cabinet approved plans to move forward with the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) across the borough. One in four residents stated in the 2021 residents’ survey that they think crime and antisocial behaviour should be a focus of the Council post-pandemic.
Lewisham Council is now running a public consultation from Monday 27 February for eight weeks until Sunday 30 April to hear as many views from people who live and work in Lewisham as possible.
A PSPO is an additional tool that gives the Police and Council Officers powers to help reduce specific antisocial behaviours. PSPOs do not stop people socialising in the open and enjoying public spaces but can be used to deter those whose behaviour is persistently disrupting other people’s lives.
It allows officers to issue a warning, or a fixed penalty notice for antisocial behaviour carried out by individuals. The PSPO is enforced under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and the proposed Order would apply to the entire borough of Lewisham for the following activities:
- Alcohol related antisocial behaviour and disorder
- Consumption of drugs and psychoactive substances
- Illegal encampments
- Public urination and defecation
- Amplified speech or music in open spaces
- Dog related antisocial behaviour in public spaces and parks
Cllr Chris Barnham, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Community Safety said:
“Tackling antisocial behaviour continues to be a high priority for Lewisham, we want to make sure that everyone is able to enjoy public places safely, free from antisocial behaviour. We’re consulting on plans that can help to make local areas safe places to live, visit and work. We want everybody to enjoy living and working in or visiting Lewisham, so we are consulting residents on this proposal because these views are really important to us.
“This is not in any way intended to restrict people’s enjoyment of our parks and public spaces. Quite the reverse – it’s about making sure that everyone is able to enjoy the public realm safely and without being subjected to antisocial behaviour.”
The PSPO consultation questions can be found on the Lewisham Council website: