New powers on city centre antisocial behaviour

The new powers will apply to West Midlands Police in Wolverhampton City Centre for three years

New antisocial behaviour powers will give police the authority to break up groups in Wolverhampton and order people to remove face coverings, according to the city council.

The town centre Public Safety Protection Order (PSPO) has raised concerns among some councillors.

Members of a council scrutiny panel heard the order would give police the power to break up groups of three or more people if officers believe they are causing or likely to cause a nuisance, threat or alarm to others.

It also gives them powers to require people to remove face coverings if they do not have a good reason for wearing one.

Cllr Ciaran Brackenridge said different people might have a different definition of harassment, alarm and distress.

Hannah Pawley, the council’s communities strategic lead, said the definition of anti-social behaviour in law makes it difficult to be more specific but said the council was working with the police to develop a clear agreement on what the thresholds will be.

The three-year order is in place across the city centre within the boundary of ring road and has been developed to tackle a rise in anti-social behaviour in the area over recent years.

It would not affect people gathering to visit the city centre for shopping, the council said, or discriminate against those wearing a face covering for medical or religious reasons.

Supt Martin Hurcomb from West Midlands Police said the force was committed to providing a safe space within the city centre.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.