26 Sep Help H&F Council tackle anti-social behaviour in Hammersmith & Fulham
H&F Council is seeking views on a proposed borough wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) as part of our Crime Fighting Strategy. The PSPO will introduce the following restrictions which aim to reduce persistent anti-social behaviour:
- Professional beggars, and aggressive and/or persistent begging – to address instances of begging that cause residents to feel pressured or intimidated. Beggars that arrive in groups are often professional beggars and beg as a source of income as opposed to genuine poverty.
- Congregating or gathering in groups of two or more for the purposes of engaging in anti-social behaviour – would allow officers to take action against groups of two or more people who are loitering and causing intimation, harassment, alarm or distress. They would also be prevented from returning to the area for 24 hours.
- Wearing face coverings (e.g., balaclavas) in an attempt to conceal their identity to cause harassment, alarm and distress – this would not be enforced against any person who for religious, faith, or cultural beliefs or existing health conditions has their face covered by such clothing or medical grade face masks.
A PSPO would help H&F’s Law Enforcement Team (LET), other authorised council staff, and Police Officers to intervene when witnessing any of the above behaviours in public spaces in the borough.
The powers would enable the LET, Police and other authorised officers to:
- issue warnings to any person displaying these behaviours
- issue £100 Fixed Penalty Notices to any person who fails to comply with officers’ orders.
- If the fine is not paid within 14 days, they may be prosecuted
- any person who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with any of the requirements of the PSPO may be liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to £1,000.
Please share your views on how these proposed changes may affect you and your community.
The consultation is open until Friday 24th October and we welcome input from yourself, partners and service users.
The consultation can be found here
For any queries, please contact us at csu@lbhf.gov.uk