Order now in place to tackle riverside anti-social behaviour
A small public car park on the riverside in Birkenhead is now subject to a three-year Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in response to historic and ongoing incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour.
After a period of public consultation, Wirral Council – supported by Merseyside Police – is now implementing the PSPO, which covers Alabama Way car park, which overlooks the River Mersey next to Cammell Laird shipyard.
The location has seen a significant increase in the level of anti-social behaviour (ASB) being reported at the car park which led to crime prevention partners coming together to seek to obtain and implement this PSPO.
This action is being taken following a review by Wirral Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team into past and recent issues being reported to both Wirral Council and Merseyside Police about incidents at Alabama Way.
The purpose of the PSPO is to reduce the levels of anti-social behaviour in the area and the risks associated with it - and ultimately protect residents, particularly those who live next to the car park, and improve their quality of life.
Public Spaces Protection Orders are orders contained within the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to help stop individuals or groups committing ASB.
By dealing with a particular nuisance or problem in a specific area that’s considered damaging to the local community's quality of life, it helps protect the area and the people that live there.
In summary, the Alabama Way PSPO will prohibit the following activities: -
- Being the owner, driver, or being in charge of a motor vehicle and causing or allowing amplified music, or other noise to be emitted from that vehicle in a manner causing a nuisance or annoyance to people in the locality of the Restricted Area between the hours of 8pm and 8am.
- Using any item as a portable audio device in a manner causing a nuisance or annoyance to people in the locality of the Restricted Area between the hours of 8pm and 8am.
- Sounding motor vehicle horns other than in accordance with the Highway Code in such a manner causing a nuisance to people in the locality of the Restricted Area.
- Revving of motor vehicle engines in such a manner capable of causing a nuisance to people in the locality of the Restricted Area.
- Repeated sudden or rapid acceleration or deceleration of motor vehicles in such a manner capable of causing a nuisance or annoyance to people in the locality of the Restricted Area.
- Being part of a group of two or more people surrounding or within one or more stationary vehicles between the hours of 8pm and 8am where such activity is causing a nuisance or annoyance to anyone in the locality of the Restricted Area.
- Being verbally abusive, swearing at or intimidating or threatening any members of the public.
- Urination, defecation, spitting or littering at any time.
The PSPO came into effect on 22nd August 2024 for a period of three years.
