Tough measures to tackle alcohol and intoxicating substance related anti-social behaviour in Rhondda Cynon Taf have been extended by three years.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet have agreed to extend the existing Alcohol-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which has been in place across the County Borough for SIX years after 95%* of residents said that they would support the extension.
In October 2018, the Council introduced the PSPO in a bid to tackle complex problems such as alcohol-related anti-social behaviour. The Council has worked with South Wales Police and other support agencies over the last SIX years to enforce this and crack down on street drinking in RCT.
Recent figures show that Pontypridd and Aberdare Town Centres are still seeing high rates of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour even during the length of the current PSPO – suggesting that there is still a need for it to remain in place at this time. It is also important to note that, over the past SIX years, the vast majority of individuals approached by an authorised officer have complied with the request to stop drinking.
The existing PSPO is jointly enforced by the Council and South Wales Police.
Under the conditions of the PSPO the Council must review and consider the order every three years, to ensure that the controls still meet the needs of the public – as such the Council recently undertook a consultation with residents to gain their views on how successful they feel these measures have been and whether they should remain in place. Out of those surveyed, 66% felt that the PSPO had, had a positive impact on the quality of life around our County Borough.
The PSPO dedicates all of Rhondda Cynon Taf as a Controlled Drinking Zone to give Authorised Officers powers to control alcohol-related anti-social behaviour across the County Borough – this means Authorised Officers can therefore request that a person hands over their alcohol and stops drinking if they are causing, or are likely to cause, anti-social behaviour. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is £100.
If someone is found drinking alcohol within the 2 ‘Designated No Alcohol Zones’ in Aberdare and Pontypridd Town Centres, Officers have the powers to take open containers of alcohol from a person. If they refuse to hand over the alcohol, they will receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100. Individuals who have been warned and continue to drink within the Town Centres face further enforcement action including a Community Protection Notice banning them from the Town Centre.
Aberdare’s ‘no alcohol zone’ includes the town centre, Sobell site and its playing fields (the Ynys), Aberdare Railway Station and Gadlys Pit Car Park. The zone in Pontypridd includes the town centre, Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, and the railway and bus stations. These zones also apply to the use of intoxicating substances, not just alcohol.
Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said:
“The PSPO has now been in place for over SIX years and is having a positive impact on our town centres and wider communities.
“Through working in partnership with South Wales Police, the introduction of community wardens and the funding of 10 Police Community Support Officers there are now considerably more Officers in the town centre areas concentrating on PSPO enforcement, and these further support town centre policing and community safety priorities.
“Figures show that Aberdare and Pontypridd town centres have still had the highest rates of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour during the length of the current PSPO – suggesting that its retention remains important at this time. It is also important to note that, over the past SIX years, the vast majority of individuals approached by an authorised officer have complied with the request to stop drinking.
“However since the 2021 PSPO Consultation and the extension of the PSPO in RCT, there has also been a reduction in the total number of Anti-Social Behaviour incidents recorded by South Wales Police in the Pontypridd and Aberdare town centres. Pontypridd town centre has seen a 23% reduction in these type of incidences from 183 occurrences in the 2021-22 financial year, to 140 occurrences in 2023/24. Similarly, ASB in Aberdare town centre has reduced from 305 occurrences to 217 occurrences in the same timeframe, which is a 29% reduction overall.
“Having taken all of this into consideration the consultation feedback and the latest data relating to alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, Cabinet Members have agreed all Officer recommendations outlined in the report. The PSPO will therefore be implemented over the next three years, from October 2024.”
You can view the Cabinet report here - https://rctcbc.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=132&MId=50005267&Ver=4&LLL=0
Posted on 03/10/2024