Council bid to stop car park anti-social behaviour

Six car parks are included in the consultation including Regent Street multi-storey

A council has launched a consultation into tackling anti-social behaviour in six city centre car parks.

Plymouth City Council wants to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to stop incidents related to alcohol and drug use, public intimidation and using stairwells as toilets.

The PSPO would give "police and designated officers" the power to move people on if they were causing a nuisance.

The council said the consultation will gather the thoughts of local residents and businesses before a PSPO could be introduced.

The order would cover the Napier Street, Regent Street, Mayflower East, Theatre Royal, Western Approach and Colin Campbell Court car parks.

The council said its aim was to crack down on anti-social and intimidating behaviour.

This includes people gathering or loitering with others, large car meets congregating and motorbikes racing and causing a noise disturbance.

Councillor Sally Haydon, cabinet member for community safety, said: "People should feel safe in our car parks. Full stop. They should be able to come and go from their cars without worry or witnessing unpleasant behaviour.

"This order is another tool we and the police can use to make people feel safer – but we want to know what residents and businesses think about this."

'Unreasonable and persistent'

The consultation has the backing of the Plymouth City Centre Company, which represents the interests of more than 500 businesses.

Its chief executive Steve Hughes said the PSPO would allow the police to take the necessary action to make the car parks "safer and more welcoming".

The council said it needs evidence anti-social behaviour is having a "detrimental effect on the quality of life" of those living or working nearby and that the behaviour is "unreasonable and persistent".

"We are working with the police and agencies across the city to understand the effects of the proposed rules on all those that are impacted and the next steps after the consultation period ends," it said.

People have until Wednesday 7 May to take part in the consultation.