PSPO – Athelstan and Ethelbert Road

The Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 introduced new powers for councils to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB). One of these powers was the ability to introduce PSPOs to restrict certain activities or behaviours within a defined area, if it could be shown that such activity was having a negative impact on the local community.

PSPOs give police and council officers additional powers to take enforcement action against people who cause ASB in public places.

PSPOs are designed to ensure that members of the public can use and enjoy public spaces without experiencing anti-social behaviour.

This is the fifth PSPO that the council has introduced. 

What has been agreed as part of this PSPO? 

The PSPO includes the following activities within the designated area: 

1. Residents must put their household rubbish in the correct bin.
2. Residents must put out their bins on the correct collection day. 
3. Residents must not leave bins out on the street apart from on collection day. This means putting bins out after 6pm on the day before collection is due, and taking them back onto their property no later than 8pm on collection day. 
4. Residents must not dump or leave waste or litter on driveways, in gardens or other outdoor spaces. 
5. Residents must make sure that garden walls and fences are safe and in good condition.
6. Residents must not make noise at any time that is likely to disturb their neighbours. 
7. Members of the public will not be able to use the alleyway between Athelstan Road and Ethelbert Road. The council will install lockable gates at each end. Residents, guests, emergency services and certain other authorised people will still be able to use the alleyway.

There are approximately 2,077 streets in Thanet. The proposed PSPO area (including the 195 metre alleyway that connects the two streets) was the location of 7% of all fly-tips in Thanet (between December 2020 and December 2021 ). 32% of all Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued in Thanet were in relation to offences on Athelstan Road. 

The order will apply to anyone within the designated area who continues to cause ASB. 

Access to the gated alleyway will be restricted to residents, their guests, emergency services and certain other agencies undertaking statutory duties.

This PSPO provides officers with additional enforcement capability. It does not replace existing powers and enforcement of this order will only be considered when advice and warnings have not been adhered to.

Where there is an underlying reason contributing to ASB, appropriate support and advice will be given in the first instance.