Night fishing, rogue biking, tents and street drinking - all the 'nuisance' acts for which new £100 fines have been introduced in South Tyneside

A new set of powers to help tackle antisocial behaviour have come into force across South Tyneside – with £100 fines for those who do not comply.
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The Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), which aim to address antisocial behaviour-related issues around street drinking, rogue biking and trouble in the riverside area, came into force on May 17.

In the Broad Landing and Riverside areas, fishing through the night, pitching tents, shouting, playing loud music, dropping litter, setting fires, urinating, defecating and other nuisance behaviour will be subject to fines.

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Councillor Ernest Gibson, lead member for Area Management and Community Safety at South Tyneside Council, said: “Antisocial behaviour has a detrimental impact on the quality of life of our residents, not to mention the negative perception it can give of an area.

New powers are in force to tackle nuisance behaviour in South TynesideNew powers are in force to tackle nuisance behaviour in South Tyneside
New powers are in force to tackle nuisance behaviour in South Tyneside

“We want our residents and visitors to be able to relax and enjoy our public spaces without feeling uncomfortable and intimidated by the actions of a small minority of people.

“While these orders are designed to regulate activities in public places, it is important to note that the restrictions specially relate to nuisance behaviour and are being introduced to help the Council and its partners deal with persistent or continuing anti-social behaviour in areas where concerns have been highlighted in the past.

“This ranges from mini-motos causing problems in our residential areas and tearing up our open spaces to people engaging in nuisance behaviour while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

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“These new powers will help us to ensure South Tyneside public spaces remain safe and welcoming for all.”

Sergeant Dave Stobbs of Northumbria Police said: “We know that the antisocial behaviour of a minority can have a detrimental impact on our communities, particularly vulnerable residents who can feel frightened or intimidated.

“That’s why we will continue to use all tactics at our disposal – including targeted patrols and running dedicated operations with all our partners across South Tyneside – in order to tackle pockets of disorder and ultimately keep our communities safe.”

The new PSPOs:

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:: Prohibit the use of motor-propelled vehicles in public spaces;

:: Stop the consumption of alcohol in public spaces when requested to do so by police or council officers

:: Prohibit the taking of psychoactive substances in public spaces;

:: Prohibit any person acting in such a way which causes, or is likely to cause, nuisance to people living in the locality, in particular, erecting tents, shouting, playing loud music, dropping and leaving litter, setting fires, urinating and defecating in the restricted area

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:: Prohibit fishing between 10pm and 6am in the Restricted Area.

PSPOs were introduced under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and give councils and police additional powers and greater flexibility to tackle anti-social behaviour in defined geographical areas.

Anyone who breaches a PSPO risks a £100 fixed penalty notice. Failure to pay may result in criminal proceedings with a maximum penalty of £1,000.

They can be enforced by the police, police community support officers and any authorised officer of the council.

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For further information about the Public Space Protection Orders in South Tyneside visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/pspo

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