Erdington in Birmingham plagued by drugs, people using streets as toilets and shoppers being harassed

The prohibitions within the public spaces protection order (PSPO)were previously put into place following a number of reports from residents, businesses and professionals who live and work in the Birmingham suburb.

The behaviours complained about include substance misuse, the disposal of needles, alcohol, urination, defecation, groups displaying harassing and intimidating behaviours and begging.

The council is now proposing that the order is renewed for a further three years and has launched a consultation asking for views.

It says this order will provide the police and designated council officers with additional powers across a defined geographical area to tackle a wide range of anti-social behaviours.

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The PSPO document reads: “The council is satisfied on reasonable grounds that there are a number of activities, carried out or are likely to be carried out in a public space namely the area within and surrounding Erdington High Street, that have had, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.

“The effect or likely effect of these activities is of a persistent or continuing nature such as to make these activities unreasonable and justifies the restrictions imposed in this order.”

The order prohibits the following behaviours:

• Anti-social behaviour.
• Loitering or begging.
• Intoxicating substances.
• Urination, defecation or disposing of drug paraphernalia.

The order also imposes restrictions if an ‘authorised person’ reasonably suspects that a person, who is or has been drinking alcohol in the open air within the restricted area, is causing or likely to cause a nuisance or disorder.

That person may be ordered to stop drinking in the area of the PSPO and hand over the alcohol in their possession.

According to the consultation, the council will aim to signpost any person found in breach of the PSPO with drug or alcohol issues to the appropriate Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation services.

A person guilty of an offence by doing anything that is prohibited by the PSPO or failing to comply with its requirements, without reasonable excuse, is liable on summary conviction to a fine.

“Consuming alcohol in breach of a public space protection order is not an offence,” the PSPO document continues.

“However, it is an offence to fail to comply with a request by a constable or authorised person to cease drinking or surrender alcohol that a person is or has been or intends to drink in breach of the prohibition in the PSPO.”

Depending on the behaviour in question, the enforcing officer could also decide that a fixed penalty notice would be the most appropriate sanction.

The consultation is live until December 11 and can be found on the Birmingham Be Heard website here.