Heanor: Plan to stop town centre troublemakers progresses

Market Place in Heanor is currently undergoing construction work

A council is to consult the public on plans to tackle anti-social behaviour in a Derbyshire town centre.

Amber Valley Borough Council's cabinet has given the green light to a public consultation on potential restrictions for Heanor marketplace.

A public spaces protection order (PSPO) is proposed, allowing fixed penalty notices to be given to troublemakers.

Deputy leader Emma Monkman said the move followed an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour in recent months.

The matter was discussed by the authority at a meeting on Wednesday, where Ms Monkman said: "It is something people should not have to worry about.

"Young people are riding their bikes have been causing anti-social behaviour and wearing face coverings so they are unidentifiable.

"This would be part of our toolkit of measures and it is not something we take lightly."

The new powers would include:

• Asking groups or three or more people to leave the area and not return for 48 hours if they are believed to be harassing others.

• Asking people to dismount from a bike, skateboard, scooter or hoverboard if they are riding in a malicious and/or dangerous manner aimed causing harassment, alarm or distress.

• Asking people to remove face coverings if worn in an attempt to conceal their identity to cause harassment, alarm or distress. This will not include items worn in respect of religious or cultural beliefs.

• Asking people to stop playing unreasonably loud music from any device or vehicle if it is believed to be causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress

A council report on the issue said fines could be brought in for people who failed to comply with the restrictions, and that this could progress to prosecution, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The authority said there would be an appeals process, with the protection order in force for three years, if approved after the consultation.