Majority yes vote for increased police powers in Thatcham

A public consultation has found that Thatcham is in favour of increased police powers in the town centre.

A survey, launched by West Berkshire council found that over 80 percent of responders approved of the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

A PSPO, introduced in October 2014 under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, grants police officers delegated powers, from a local authority, to restrict an individual who has committed an antisocial act from the area for up to 24 hours.

The proposed location for this order is the Broadway after a number of antisocial incidents were reported in the past year.

Newbury town centre saw the same and, in a recent annual town meeting in Thatcham, Thames Valley Police told residents it has been a success.

The next steps were discussed in a town centre committee meeting on Monday (May 16) whereby the chamber were told a final decision would be made by an individual officer.

The town council has requested to see the qualitative responses from West Berkshire Councils survey in order to review other suggestions made by residents for the town centre.