A Public Spaces Protection Order for Welwyn Garden City town centre has been approved in an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour, including public defecating and drug dealing.

The PSPO was passed at the council’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday, February 6, and comes into effect on April 1.

A PSPO helps to protect public spaces and the community, giving the police and Council officers additional powers to issue fixed penalty notices and prosecute those responsible for anti-social behaviour.

Public defecation, drug dealing, street drinking, begging and rough sleeping are among the issues that the order is aimed at tackling, after a public consultation at the end of last year.

In addition to the approved PSPO in Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is also asking for feedback on two other PSPO consultations.

It is keen to establish the need for an extension of the existing PSPO for Hatfield town centre for another three years before it expires on July 30, 2024, and one to establish whether to vary the designated area of the PSPO to cover High View area in Hatfield.

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Consultations will be open until March 14, with businesses, residents and visitors to the area invited to have their say.

"Thank you to everyone who responded to the Welwyn Garden City PSPO consultation," said councillor Sandreni Bonfante, executive member for environment.

"After listening to our community, we decided to implement this PSPO. We realised that we need a robust approach to anti-social behaviour so that our town centres remain spaces that everyone can enjoy.

"I encourage residents and businesses to take part in the Hatfield and High View PSPO consultations using the links below." 

To take part in the PSPO consultation for Hatfield please visit www.welhat.gov.uk/hatfield-pspo, and for High View, visit www.welhat.gov.uk/high-view-pspo, or call 01707 357706 and request a consultation pack to be sent to you.