Bid to ban street harassment of women and girls
A crackdown on street harassment of women and girls will see offenders fined in an effort to stamp out inappropriate behaviour across Ashfield.
The move comes after a survey revealed 60 per cent of women and girls had been verbally abused in public, including being subject to catcalling and sexual comments.
Ashfield District Council now wants the power to fine those responsible by making it an offence – making it the first authority in the region to do so.
Councillors have backed plans to consult with the public for six weeks before widening the scope of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) aimed at combating antisocial behaviour across the District.
The extended order – which would come into effect in October – would also introduce a wider ban on nuisance vehicle use relating to car cruising - including dangerous driving, speeding or racing, revving engines, playing loud music and blocking public roads.
The current PSPO currently makes this an offence around junction 27 of the M1, which was a popular meeting spot for car events, but the new order would widen it to the whole of Ashfield.
The order would also extend existing conditions relating to the control of dogs and a ban on drinking alcohol in designated areas.
At a meeting of the council’s cabinet this week (8 April) councillors voted unanimously to back the new PSPO after hearing antisocial behaviour has fallen by more than 35 per cent since the current order has been active.
John Bennett, Executive Director Place, said:
“We want a safer and stronger Ashfield for all residents and having powers to crackdown on behaviours that blight communities can act as both a deterrent and punishment for those who offend.
“The street harassment of women and girls, where many are often subject to unwarranted sexual comments and behaviour, is totally unacceptable and those responsible will find themselves issued with fixed penalty notices under our plan.
“Addressing violence against women and girls is a priority for the Ashfield Community Safety Partnership and introducing a ban on street harassment and inappropriate behaviour forms part of this plan.”
The public consultation period starts week commencing 15 April and will come back to the council’s cabinet for a further vote sometime in September.
This PSPO is separate to a second order currently running in the District which was introduced in March 2023.
