Waverley Borough Council has a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place aimed at helping police deal with anti-social behaviour in Godalming and Farncombe. The Order also prohibits the lighting of barbecues and bonfires on Waverley-managed parks and open spaces throughout the borough.
Download Anti-social behaviour PSPO
What is a PSPO?
To help us protect the health and wellbeing of all our residents and tackle anti-social behaviour in the borough, the Council and the police use a wide range of informal and formal powers.
These measures include warnings, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Community Protection Notices, injunctions, and Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO).
A PSPO is an order that can be made by Local Authorities under Section 59 of the anti-social behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, if they are satisfied that activity or behaviour that is carried out, or likely to be carried out, in a public space:
• Has had, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life in the locality,
• Is, or is likely to be, persistent or continuing in nature,
• Is, or is likely to be, unreasonable, and
• Justifies any restrictions imposed within the Order.
What ASB (anti-social behaviour) does it cover?
Following consultation in 2020-21, the decision was taken to make a PSPO in Godalming, Farncombe and Waverley managed parks and open/green spaces to address a range of anti-social behaviours including:
In Godalming and Farncombe:
• The consumption of alcohol that contributed to anti-social behaviour.
• The use of drugs, psychoactive substances, or other intoxicating substances that contributed to anti-social behaviour.
• Activity including shouting, swearing, screaming, being verbally abusive or acting in a manner that caused harassment, alarm, or distress to others.
In Waverley managed parks and open/green spaces:
• The lighting of bonfires or barbecues without written permission from the Council
• Leaving a permitted bonfire or barbecue unattended whilst alight.
The PSPO prohibited these activities in the identified areas, outlined the offences that could be committed if these prohibitions were breached, and provided for offences to be dealt with by fixed penalty notices (FPN). Full details of the Order can be found above.
PSPO consultation
In recent weeks, we have been seeking your views on whether we should extend the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Waverley aimed at helping:
- police deal with anti-social behaviour in Godalming and Farncombe,
- our staff manage the lighting of barbecues and bonfires on Council managed parks and green spaces throughout the borough.
This PSPO is due to expire on 20 April 2024 and we are considering whether it should be extended for a further three years.
Results of consultation
In our recent survey, we received responses from 40 residents and visitors, highlighting where they may have experienced anti-social behaviour and expressing their views on the powers contained in the PSPO and whether they should continue to be available to ensure that all members of the public can use and enjoy public spaces and help to make Waverley a better and safer place to live, work and enjoy.
Barbecues and bonfires in parks and greenspaces
Whilst only 42.5% of respondents felt that lighting of barbecues and bonfires in parks and greenspaces was a problem, 75% felt that the prohibitions on unauthorised barbecues and bonfires was necessary. In addition, 85% of respondents felt that it was necessary to prohibit people leaving a permitted barbecue or bonfire unattended when alight.
One resident commented ‘Frensham Ponds has a problem in the summer with people using barbeques, which in some instances has led to fires and serious damage of the countryside’.
Anti-social Behaviour in Godalming and Farncombe
When asked about their personal knowledge of anti-social behaviour, 53% of respondents said they had witnessed or experienced it in Godalming or Farncombe in the last 12 months. The main areas of concern were around Farncombe Railway Station and some parts of Godalming Town Centre.
Between 52% and 67% of respondents felt that issues including drinking alcohol, taking drugs, and causing anti-social behaviour were still a problem in the Godalming and Farncombe area. When asked whether they felt that current restrictions to deal with these issues were necessary, 85% of respondents agreed.
Should the PSPO be extended for a further 3 years?
There was strong support for the PSPO to be extended with 93% of respondents agreeing with the proposal. Comments on why respondents felt it should be extended included.
‘It would improve quality of life if I feel comfortable walking down to Godalming’.
‘It provides an effective deterrent’.
‘It’s working and should be extended’.
‘The issues have not gone away. The order has helped reduce these problems which will only return if not in place’.
What happens next?
The proposed extension of the current PSPO will be discussed over the next few weeks at the following Council meetings:
Tuesday 26 March 2024 at 7pm – Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Services
Tuesday 9 April 2024 at 6pm – Executive
The decision on whether the PSPO will be extended for a further 3 years will be made in the week commencing 16 April 2024.