Carmarthenshire Council introduces PSPO to Llanelli Town Centre in order to address alcohol and drug crime

IN order to address alcohol and drug-related crime and disorder in parts of Llanelli Town Centre, Carmarthenshire County Council has introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in an area of the town under Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

A map of the area covered can be found on the Council’s website Public Spaces Protection Order (gov.wales) and signs have been installed in the locality. The Order came into force on 12 January 2024 and will remain in place for three years.

The introduction of the new PSPO follows a review of the previous Order by the Council and Police, an analysis of drug and alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour in the area, engagement with key stakeholders and a public consultation exercise. The review found that the previous Order had been effective in reducing alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

Whilst it is not an offence to drink alcohol in the designated area, the Order enables police officers and Police Community Support Officers to prohibit the consumption of alcohol on the land on which it applies if they believe that the consumption of alcohol will lead to having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality. However, it is an offence to fail to comply with a request made by the police to cease drinking or surrender alcohol, without reasonable excuse.

A new power has also been introduced in the Order to enable the police to require individuals to surrender drug paraphernalia. The geographical area covered by the Order has also been extended.

Failure to comply with requests will amount to a breach of the Order and individuals could be arrested which can result in a fine of up to £1000.

The Order does not apply to public places where the sale and consumption of alcohol is authorised under other legislation, for example in pubs and clubs.

The PSPO will be regularly reviewed.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Planning Policy – Cllr Ann Davies said: “I’m grateful to our officers who have worked in collaboration with the police, local stakeholders and the public to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order.

“This measure plays an important part in the Council’s well-being objective of enabling our communities and environment to be healthy, safe and prosperous.”

Chief Inspector Steve Thomas of Dyfed-Powys Police said “The order, granted by our partners in the local authority, is a valuable tool in tackling antisocial behaviour and other problems caused by public use of alcohol in the Llanelli area. The use of PSPOs is a much quicker and more effective way for us as a police service to deal with alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour and will significantly support us in making Llanelli a safe and enjoyable place for the whole community.”