Parts of York 'troubled by street drinkers and gangs' prompt call to expand crackdown

A CRACKDOWN on intimidating behaviour in York should be expanded to cover areas outside the city centre plagued by street drinking and gangs, a councillor has said.

York Council’s executive agreed to look at bringing in public space protection orders (PSPOs) in Haxby and Acomb’s Front Street after approving new powers for one covering the city centre.

Liberal Democrat Westfield ward councillor Andrew Waller said antisocial behaviour in Front Street was intimidating young people and families and leaving businesses fearing for their viability.

Labour council safer communities spokesperson Cllr Anna Perrett said she was happy to look at extending powers which aimed to help people go about their business without fear of intimidation.

It comes as councillors approved expanding the powers of an existing PSPO on Tuesday, November 3 in an effort to crack down on city centre street drinking and antisocial behaviour.

The powers would allow those who fall foul of the PSPO to be removed from the city centre for up to four hours.

A survey carried out by the authority in August and September garnered more than 500 responses, with people saying the behaviour was intimidating and damaging York’s reputation.

Proposals include powers to deal with groups of people shouting, being aggressive or disruptive or engaging in alcohol-fuelled behaviour likely to cause fear, abuse or confrontation.

They also include additional restrictions covering people persistently asking for money, food or other donations or pressuring or intimidating people into giving them added to the PSPO.

Following, nagging or blocking the path of people, hindering their passage or standing close to them in situations such as by a cash machine would also be covered.

The executive heard on Tuesday alcohol-related disorder, intimidating and aggressive approaches from people including those selling gag mags and representing charities were frequently referenced in the consultation.

Officials said there were concerns the measures could lead to homelessness being criminalised and problems being moved elsewhere but there was widespread support for expanding the powers.

Council communities lead Pauline Stuchfield said the measures aimed to keep the city centre safe, welcoming and accessible to everyone.

But Liberal Democrat Cllr Waller said similar measures were also needed in Front Street and Haxby to deal with behaviour moving away from the city centre once powers are enforced.

Cllr Waller said: “Residents have approached me with their concerns about coming into Front Street where there have been groups of street drinkers and businesses have been troubled by gangs later in the evening.

“There’s widespread concern about this in the local community, people feel intimidated coming to their high street.”

Council Safer Communities Executive Member Cllr Perrett said the city centre powers would allow issues to be dealt with proactively, in response to concerns about the homeless and others.

The Labour executive member said: “We’ve got a great support offer in the city so people shouldn’t see this as just a blunt instrument to move them on, it’s an opportunity to have a conversion about their needs.

“We’re hearing stories about people feeling unsafe in the city centre, this is about having the tools at our fingertips so people can go about their business without feeling intimidated.”

Cllr Claire Douglas, the council’s Labour leader, said York was generally considered one of the safest cities in the region but the powers provided extra tools to deal with antisocial behaviour.