Antisocial behaviour orders target Pangbourne Meadows
Antisocial behaviour in Pangbourne Meadows is being clamped down on.
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the popular summer gathering spot will come into effect today (Wednesday, July 23).
Earlier this year, Thames Valley Police (Pangbourne Neighbourhood Team) requested West Berkshire Council to consider a PSPO for Pangbourne Meadows after the area had seen a large amount of antisocial behaviour.
The decision to grant the order was made after a six-week consultation which saw 96 per cent of respondents support the proposed antisocial behaviour restriction.
The restriction is a preventative measure.
If someone behaving in an antisocial manner fails to leave the restricted area after being asked to do so by a police officer or police community support officer (PCSO), a breach of the PSPO will occur.
It means people will be given a ‘direction to leave’ form not to return to the area for a specific period of time, which will not exceed 24 hours.
Officers, says the council, will take a measured approach, where they will ‘engage, explain and encourage’ those at risk of breaching the order through education and warnings. Enforcement will be a last resort.
Failure to comply with the PSPO is a criminal offence and carries a maximum fine of £1,000 if convicted.
However, most are dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice.
Tom McCann (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East), West Berkshire Council’s executive member for public safety, said: “We are pleased to have been able to assist Thames Valley Police by undertaking the consultation to understand what residents want in the Pangbourne Meadows area.
“We are committed to making residents feel safe and secure in their local area and feel comfortable using their amenities.”
A list of antisocial behaviour incidents at Pangbourne Meadows was published by West Berkshire Council a few months ago, as it launched the consultation.
In one such incident, a canoeing lesson for 10-year-olds was cancelled because a group of individuals were throwing bottles and live fish at them.
Another was where a group of youths were assaulting a goose, having caught the bird by its neck with a rope, and taking the goslings away from the parents and taunting them.
And another, at Pangbourne Bowls and Tennis Club, saw a group of young males regularly cycling on the tennis courts, leaving skid marks.
When asked to leave, members of the public have been verbally abused and the young males threatened to lock players on the tennis court.
Police and the council want to clamp down on off road bikes there, after reporting a litany of bad behaviour in the area.
Thames Valley Police compiled a ‘Report of Incidents’ from January 2024 to August 31, 2024, which highlights the main issues to be off-road bikes driving on the meadow and large groups congregating and acting antisocially.
There are numerous reports of vandalism and theft from the groups, and when challenged they have become abusive and/or assaulted the person challenging them.
This supports the reasoning for the restrictions on antisocial behaviour and off-road bikes.
Most occurrences took place between noon and 9pm. Most offences took place Thursday to Sunday.
The largest crime type was community ASB, followed by criminal damage.
However, some of the criminal damage reports indicate that the damage is occurring regularly, for example damage to the public toilets and tennis courts.
There is also a safeguarding aspect in relation to the young people involved who are becoming intoxicated and then jumping into the river or riding dirt bikes.
This is an area where families and children often congregate and these incidents are having an impact and police cite an incident when dirt bikes were riding around the meadows while a Scout fete was on.
So what is a PSPO?
PSPOs were introduced in October 2014 as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
PSPOs allow councils to place restrictions and requirements on certain behaviours in an area, to make sure we can all use and enjoy public spaces, safe from antisocial behaviour.
They can be used to protect the public from behaviour that is having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the area.
The behaviour must also be ongoing or happening regularly and be unreasonable.
PSPOs replaced powers to make Gating Orders, Designated Public Place Orders (street drinking restriction powers) and Dog Control Orders.
When considering what could be included in a PSPO, the council must balance things that make people feel safer and happier, with not stopping people enjoying themselves or introducing rules and regulations that can’t be enforced.
