Details
I moved to Richmond over 4 years ago, primarily because of the surroundings, the quiet community feel, and it’s relatively low levels of crime. Over that time, year on year, it has got increasingly more noisy, violent, and dirty. Not only making it unappealing to live here for myself, but also the countless families and businesses that make up the Richmond community. More recently, police have to intervene with regular dispersal orders on the Riverside and Richmond Green.
There are a number of reasons for this increased anti-social behaviour, but primarily it’s cheap alcohol at the supermarkets and several cheap pubs directly on the Riverside, which has encouraged more people to come to Richmond to get intoxicated. These pubs also promote takeaway alcohol given to patrons for their journey home or to sit on the waterfront after closing. Along water lane especially, there is a constant stream of broken glass, shouting, urination and fights, and several occasions defecation outside some properties.
This was particularly apparent at the backdoor of the cinema Curzon and front of some shops down Paved Court. Lockdown and the closure of public toilets is one reason for this, but this has been going on for several years without intervention from the council.
Over lockdown, we have seen regular parties on the Riverside, with music and on some occasions hundreds of people congregating on mass outside Jackson + Rye and the eBay offices, with music going on until late at night.
Although Richmond Council is not to blame for this, I feel that it is about time that they take some action with the introduction of PSPOs, making Richmond more community-friendly for the council tax residents and businesses.
What is a Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO)? The purpose of PSPO is to deal with a particular nuisance in a particular area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. It can prohibit certain things or require specific things to be done. An example of when a PSPO may be issued could be to help keep dogs under control within a public place such as a park. It may require that the dog is kept on a lead at all times and/or the dog is only allowed in certain areas.
Alternatively, it may prohibit the consumption of alcohol in a specific place. When deciding whether an order should be issued, the local authority must consider two things: Firstly whether the behaviour is having a detrimental effect, or is likely to have this effect. Secondly, whether the effect/likely effect of the activities is of a persistent nature making the behaviour unreasonable and rendering the notice justified. It can be made to apply to all people, or limited only to certain people and can be restricted to specific times.
A PSPO can last no longer than 3 years but can be renewed if necessary. Failure to comply with the order can result in a fine or a fixed penalty notice. This is a common thing to have within most towns, so legally and financially, I see no reason why Richmond can't have something like this in place. Although some of these PSPOs are controversial in towns, there is a point when they become necessary to stem antisocial behaviour. The below link provides the relevant guidance for councils.
Councils can also apply to have PSPO considered by speaking to the local police team.
https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/10.21%20PSPO%20guidance_06_1.pdf
Started by: Zachary Prosser
This petition ran from 26/08/2020 to 26/11/2020.
Signatures
19 people have signed this petition.
