“Safe zones” are being proposed in certain areas of Southall, to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. As part of this, Ealing council would like to hear your opinion.

Ealing Council is asking for the public to share their views on the two proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) within the Southall Town Centre and selected parks.

This proposal has developed over the past few months following on from the Safer Southall Conversation held in Villiers High School in April, the future enforcement strategy survey at the end of May, and other resident and business engagement exercises in Southall led by the safer communities team.

The views gathered, along with those of our police colleagues and other partners, have helped us shape these proposals for improving and enhancing the public spaces in Southall.

Two PSPOs are being proposed within the Southall area; one specifically concerning the Southall Town Centre and the other concerning six selected parks within Southall (Southall Park, Spikes bridge Park, Wolf fields, Southall Recreation Ground and Manor House Ground/Havelock Cemetery).

A PSPO is a new measure under Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. It is a power available to councils for tackling behaviour which is harming the “quality of life” in a certain area. The order prohibits the problematic behaviour in the area it applies to. It is enforced by police officers and officers designated by the council.

Not complying with the order after being asked to do so by an enforcing officer is a criminal offence, and results in a fine or a summary conviction.

A PSPO ultimately acts as a tool with additional powers the local police and council officers are able to call upon when needed to tackle ASB within the area.

We are looking for your opinion as someone who works, visits or lives in Southall area about local ASB issues, and whether you support the introduction of additional enforcement powers under a PSPO to tackle these issues.

More information and a link to the consultation surveys can be found here: ww.ealing.gov.uk/southallpspo

The consultation will be open from the 16th of October 2017 to the 11th December 2017.