Consultation on plan to combat anti-social alleyways launched

Residents are invited to have their say on Ashfield District Council’s new public consultation on the potential gating of eight alleyways notorious for attracting anti-social behaviour.

The proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) would restrict public access over eight alleyways and strips of land across the District. The proposed PSPO would allow gates to be installed blocking access to the eight locations which have been highlighted as anti-social behaviour hotspots.

Under the proposed PSPO, any person found entering the alleyways would be handed a Fixed Penalty Notice fine of £100.

The alleyways which are being consulted on are:

1. Between Spruce Grove and Beacon Drive, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
2. Between Bentinck Street and Bramley Court, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
3. Between Downing Street and North Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
4. Rear of 34-37 Rockwood Walk, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire
5. Adjacent 40 Rosewood Drive, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
6. Between Spruce Grove and Poplar Avenue, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
7. Between Welbeck Street and Portland Close, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
8. Between Bramley Court and Sutton Lawn, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

The public consultation is live on Ashfield District Council’s website until midnight on 5 January 2023.

Cllr Helen-Ann Smith, Executive Lead Member for Community Safety and Crime Reduction, said:

“We encourage all residents to have their say on this consultation. Potentially gating off these areas of land that are known anti-social behaviour hotspots will improve the life of the residents who live near them.

“Ashfield District Council is committed to tackling and reducing anti-social and criminal behaviour, and our current PSPO has proved that these methods do work. We have been getting tough on crime and anti-social behaviour and gating off these recognised alleyways is just another example of how we are achieving this.”

Ashfield District Council has been cracking down on crime and anti-social behaviour following successful Safer Streets initiatives which have seen new CCTV cameras, world-first Refuge camera technology, improved lighting, and an effective gating order caried out in Sutton. An alleyway between Bentinck Street and Welbeck street in Sutton that was notorious for attracting anti-social and criminal behaviour, was gated in December 2021 putting an end to the ASB issues.