Police get new powers to curb anti-social behaviour

Police – and council staff – can now give out on-the-spot fines of £100 in Swindon

Police officers have been granted new powers in a town in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

They can now hand out £100 on-the-spot fines to anyone in the town centre of Swindon for engaging in certain disruptive or dangerous activities.

These activities include riding e-bikes and e-scooters, street drinking, public urination and riding pedal bikes in a way that endangers pedestrians.

Repeat offenders can be fined up to £1,000 and prosecuted. The powers come under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which covers the town centre and Broadgreen.

Staff from Swindon Borough Council are being handed the new powers alongside Wiltshire Police.

Signs in the town warn against certain behaviours

Insp David Tippetts, from Wiltshire Police, said: "Anti-social behaviour... has a detrimental impact on the area, deterring members of the public who might wish to come into the town centre and support local businesses.

"We're determined to make the town centre and Broadgreen more pleasant places for all."

Councillor Jim Grant, from Swindon Borough Council, said: "The PSPO is an important step in supporting our police partners to take action against several individuals whose behaviour has a negative impact on the area."

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson added: "We can use the PSPO as a tool to effectively tackle the anti-social behaviour which has a profoundly negative effect on the lives of our residents."