A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) has been in place in Merton since September 2020 to address alcohol-related antisocial behaviour (ASB) in the following five wards: Cricket Green, Figges Marsh, Graveney, Lavender Fields and Ravensbury.
PSPOs are tools that address ASB and its impact on individuals and communities. They are council-led and are designed to prohibit certain activities – or to require that people do certain things when engaging in certain activities – within a defined public area.
If an individual is found to be breaching the restrictions of the current PSPO, Council Enforcement Officers or police officers will request they either stop drinking or surrender the alcohol. Anyone who does not comply with either request will be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice.
Following recent complaints regarding street drinking in Mitcham, four Council Enforcement Officers from Kingdom Security have now been tasked with patrolling the town centre to assist in enforcing the PSPO and ensure the it is a safe and enjoyable place for all.
They will also report back weekly to the council on their activities to enable us to monitor how well the PSPO is being enforced. As a PSPO is not solely an enforcement tool, the officers will also help those for whom alcohol has become a challenge to access the necessary support.
Cllr Eleanor Stringer, Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, said: “It’s very important that residents can see the benefit of this PSPO, which was firmly supported in Mitcham when it was introduced two years ago after public consultation.
“Merton is one of the safest boroughs in London. But we know that anti-social behaviour has an impact on people’s lives and how they feel about their local area, and it’s really important that when we launch policies to help residents, they can clearly see them being properly implemented.
“We will be work with our partners to increase enforcement against alcohol related anti-social behaviour in Mitcham town centre. Alongside this, we will continue to support people to get the help and support they need to address their alcohol and substance misuse.”
For more information on the PSPO, please see: https://www.merton.gov.uk/communities-and-neighbourhoods/crime-prevention-and-community-safety/Public-Space-Protection-Order