POLICE and the council are aiming to crack down on alcohol and drug-related crime in parts of a Carmarthenshire town by introducing a Public Spaces Protection order (PSPO).
Carmarthenshire County Council has granted the PSPO for parts of Llanelli town centre which are outlined in the map below.
The order means that whilst it is not an offence to drink alcohol in the designated areas, police officers and police community support officers are able to stop people from drinking alcohol in the designated areas if it is believed that the consumption of alcohol will lead to a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the area.
It is an offence to not comply with a request from said officers to stop drinking or to surrender the alcohol without reasonable excuse.
There is also a new power in the order, which will allow police to have the power to make people surrender any drug paraphernalia they may be carrying.
The order came into effect under Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, on January 12 and will last for three years. It was put in place after a review of the previous order was carried out by Dyfed-Powys Police and the council, analysing drug and alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour across the area, as well as engagement with key stakeholders and a public consultation.
It was found that the previous order had been effective in reducing alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Ann Davies, the council’s cabinet member for rural affairs and planning policy, said: “I’m grateful to our officers who have worked in collaboration with the police, local stakeholders and the public to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order.
“This measure plays an important part in the council’s wellbeing objective of enabling our communities and environment to be healthy, safe and prosperous.”
Chief Inspector Steve Thomas of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “The order, granted by our partners in the local authority, is a valuable tool in tackling antisocial behaviour and other problems caused by public use of alcohol in the Llanelli area.
“The use of PSPOs is a much quicker and more effective way for us as a police service to deal with alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour and will significantly support us in making Llanelli a safe and enjoyable place for the whole community.”
The order does not apply to public places where the sale and consumption of alcohol is authorised under legislation, such as pubs and clubs. Anyone who fails to comply with requests can be arrested for breaching the order which could lead to a fine of up to £1,000. More information about the order can be found at https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/emergencies-and-community-safety/community-safety/public-spaces-protection-order/
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