Plan to tackle anti-social behaviour

Residents and businesses are to be consulted on planned measures to crack down on anti-social behaviour in Macclesfield.

A public space protection order (PSPO), giving police and officers authorised by the council additional powers, is proposed for Macclesfield, following an increase in anti-social behaviour, including drinking alcohol in the streets and public places.

The consultation is now live on the Cheshire East Council website and closes on 14 March. The PSPO aims to assist in tackling anti-social behaviour, fuelled by alcohol consumption in public areas.

It will give police and authorised officers the power to request that alcohol, in a sealed or unsealed container, is handed to them in order to prevent a public nuisance or disorder. Exemptions would apply within the boundaries of licensed premises or at a special event.

The order covers a wide area of the town centre and is also aimed at preventing urinating or defecating on public land. Police officers and authorised officers would have the powers to issued fixed penalty notices of £100, while more serious breaches, including failure to pay or repeat offending, could result in fines up to £500 or £1,000 at a magistrates’ court.  

The proposed area for the PSPO covers a wide area of the town centre, from Hibel Road in the north to the junction of Silk Road and Old Mill Lane, to the south. If approved, it would be in effect for a minimum of one year and up to a maximum of three years. 

Councillor Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council’s chair of environment and communities, said: “This is a response to repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour, which have caused offence or upset to law-abiding residents and business owners in Macclesfield. It is not something we have pleasure in pursuing but is a result of the actions of a selfish, mindless minority.”

“Our residents are entitled to enjoy a good quality of life and this proposed order is aimed at preventing a repeat of activities that have disturbed and, in some instances, caused distress to people in the town going about their normal business.”

The order would form an additional tool, which would further aid police and authorised officers, in tackling this type of anti-social behaviour at an early stage. Repeat offenders would face additional sanctions outside the order.

The consultation is available to view on the council’s website and comments should reach the council by noon on 14 March.