Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report providing details of the work undertaken to date to consider establishing a city-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) around new psychoactive substances (“legal highs”), along with information on plans to consult residents and communities on the continuation of the current street drinking PSPO.  The Commission is recommended to note and comment on the contents of the report.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report providing details of the work undertaken to date to consider establishing a city-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) around new psychoactive substances (“legal highs”).  Information on plans to consult residents and communities on the continuation of the current street drinking PSPO also was included in the report.

The Head of Community Safety explained that:

·           The Commission was being asked to comment on these PSPOs as part of the consultation process for each of them;

·           The street drinking PSPO gave Police powers to ask people not to drink in the street, or to take substances away from, or arrest, people who did not comply;

·           Both PSPOs would be valid for three years.  The previous street drinking PSPO was due to expire in December 2017, so consultation currently was being held on whether it should be renewed;

·           During its operation, the Police had monitored the operation of the street drinking PSPO and wanted it to continue as, although there had been a 24% decrease in street drinking within the inner ring road area, more use could be made of the order;

·           Currently it was not illegal to take new psychoactive substances (NPSs), but the Council wanted to avoid anti-social behaviour associated with their use;

·           86% of respondents to consultation on introducing a NPS PSPO were in favour of a city-wide order being introduced; and

·           Consultation on introducing a NPS PSPO also had shown that many people were not aware of what NPSs were, so it was hoped that ways could be found to raise awareness.

The Commission welcomed the proposals and made the following comments:

o    Licensing officers and Committee members already worked closely with the Police on maintaining the Cumulative Impact Zone and controlling the strength of alcoholic drinks being sold;

o    The Police were not always present when anti-social behaviour by street drinkers occurred, so could be unaware of the full extent of it;

Reply from the Head of Community Safety:

If the Police identified drinkers who it was felt were not behaving anti-socially at the time they were observed, but could do so later, under the PSPO the Police could take the alcohol from those drinkers to avoid anti-social behaviour arising.

o    Some shops sold alcohol outside of their licensed hours, which could exacerbate anti-social behaviour problems;

o    Large groups of people drinking could feel intimidating to other members of the public;

o    Evidence was available of large groups of drinkers gathering on some of the city’s outer estates and in parks.  Was there also evidence of anti-social behaviour by these groups?; and

o    NPSs appeared to be taken by individuals, rather than groups, who often were found in distress, rather than behaving anti-socially.

Reply from the Head of Community Safety:

Wrappers from NPSs caused litter problems in some areas and reports were received of people screaming and shouting when using NPSs.

The Head of Community Safety advised the Commission that, as part of the consultation on the street drinking PSPO, respondents had been asked where they felt notices advising of the PSPO should be placed.  The same question was being asked as part of the consultation on the NPS PSPO, along with a question on whether the NPS PSPO signs should be placed with those relating to the street drinking PSPO.  Consideration currently was being given to the most appropriate locations and it was suggested that it would be most effective if the NPS PSPO signs were placed in “hot spots”.

The Head of Community Safety and the Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services also noted that:

·           Some people believed that the PSPO imposed a ban on street drinking and the taking of NPSs in the street.  A lot of work had been needed to explain that this was not the case;

·           Although the Council had to make the PSPO, it was enforced by the Police.  However, recent reductions in Police numbers limited the amount of time available for this;

·           The Council had commissioned help and outreach services for street drinkers and NPS users through Turning Point.  Contact details for this organisation would be included in the Frequently Asked Questions produced in relation to the PSPOs;

·           Some people who drank or took substances could harm themselves to the extent they needed medical assistance.  This could result in them becoming regular visitors to hospital accident and emergency departments;

·           The PSPOs were city-wide orders, but as people tended to congregate in parks and open spaces to drink or take NPSs, this was where most enforcement was undertaken.  Spare signs about the orders were available and could be put up in “hot spots” when needed;

·           When a “hot spot” was identified, a multi-agency action plan was drawn up on how to address the problems specific to that area.  However, it was recognised that removing a problem in one area could be achieved by causing it to move on to somewhere else; and

·           Street drinking tended not to be an issue on its own.  For example, it often was associated with reports of criminal damage.

AGREED:

1)    That the report be noted;

2)    That Members be invited to pass concerns about shops selling alcohol outside of their licensed hours to the Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services for investigation; and

3)    That the Head of Community Safety be asked to provide Members with details of the local demographics of users of new psychoactive substances in the city.

Agenda item 10, “Citywide Voluntary and Community Sector Support” and agenda item 11, “Response to the Leicester Advice Sector: A Report Outlining the Risk and Demands in the City” were taken in the reverse order to that set out in the agenda