New measures bringing stronger controls on antisocial behaviour are now being enforced in Aldershot and Farnborough town centres.

The Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) were officially launched by Rushmoor Borough Council, Safer North Hampshire and Hampshire Constabularly at the council offices in Farnborough on Friday 1 September.

The new orders give the police and council officers greater powers to control a range of antisocial behaviours which have, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of the local community.

The PSPOs were drawn up following a public consultation earlier this year and then approved by Rushmoor Borough Council’s Cabinet.

The council and the police have been working together to raise awareness of the new powers and signage has now been installed in key areas in Aldershot and Farnborough town centres, clearly defining the restrictions and penalties.

The restrictions address antisocial behaviour in a public place that is associated with:

• Drinking alcohol
• The use of psychoactive substances
• Public urinating and defecating
• Loitering – causing nuisance including with the intent to beg
• Loitering and causing harassment, alarm and distress

The orders will remain in place for three years, although that can be extended if similar antisocial problems remain.
Full details, including maps of the areas covered by PSPOs are available on the council’s website at https://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/PSPO.

Councillor Ken Muschamp, Rushmoor Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Business, Safety and Regulation, said: “The PSPOs have strengthened our ability to deal with the current issues we are experiencing in our town centres and give both the council and the police the chance to respond more flexibly to the worst kinds of antisocial behaviour.”

“The time for excuses is over. These problems can no longer be tolerated,” he added.

Chief Inspector Debbie Brooks, Rushmoor and Hart District Commander, said: “The introduction of PSPOs gives us and our partners another tool for tackling anti-social behaviour in the town centres of Aldershot and Farnborough.

“We know that people who engage in anti-social behaviour are often hard-to-reach with complex needs, and we have worked hard with our partners to address these issues.

“But where people continue to engage in anti-social behaviour, we will take action, and these new powers will help us with our goal to make our town centres safer.”