New fines to tackle bad behaviour in town centre

Swindon Borough Council is trying to make the town centre more attractive for residents and investors

New powers to tackle anti-social behaviour are to be rolled out in central Swindon, with the authorities now able to issue on-the-spot fines.

The Public Spaces Protection Order gives police and community wardens the power to issue a £100 fixed penalty notice for anti-social behaviour, and coincides with a Wiltshire Police crackdown on e-scooters.

Councillor Jim Grant said it was in response to concerns of some residents, who he said felt scared of going to the town centre because of drunkenness, harassment and illegal e-scooters.

Swindon Borough Council said it was part of a range of measures which aimed to make the centre more appealing to residents and investors.

"No-one's going to come if there are people drinking in the streets, drug dealing, women and girls being harassed, so we are addressing that," said Mr Grant, who is the council's cabinet member for communities.

Councillor Jim Grant said the order was necessary to make the town centre more appealing to visitors

The council said reports of anti-social behaviour had dropped since the Swindon safety warden team started work a year ago.

The order will now give them the ability to issue £100 fines to people caught drinking or being abusive in the town centre.

The council said reports of anti-social behaviour had dropped since the Swindon safety warden team started work a year ago

"Sometimes people aren't going to want to give us names and addresses, but if they don't they can be taken to court," community warden Bradley Ellis explained.

He said his team's interactions will be filmed on body-worn cameras, so people can be identified if they refuse to cooperate and leave the area.

"It's very satisfying knowing that you've done something in the town where you grew up and you can actually see a difference", Mr Ellis added.

Fines will also be handed out to people using e-scooters, which are illegal to use on public roads and footpaths.

Currently, only e-scooters which form part of government-backed trials can be used legally in the UK. There is no such trial in Wiltshire.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has said officers will begin to enforce the law on e-scooters in August

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said officers will spend a month stopping people using e-scooters in known hotspots, like Swindon town centre, and educating them on the law.

They will then move to an "enforcement phase" at the beginning of August, with officers able to confiscate and destroy e-scooters and, where appropriate, e-bikes.

"E-scooters are illegal in Wiltshire, and we will make sure people know that", Mr Wilkinson added.