Proposed PSPO would reduce anti-social behaviour at car park

A significant increase in the level of anti-social behaviour being reported at a Wirral car park has led to crime prevention partners seeking to obtain and implement specific powers to tackle it.

Consultation has started on a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering Alabama Way car park, which is situated near the riverside in Birkenhead. 

This action is being taken after a review by Wirral Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team into the issues being reported to the police and the council about incidents around Alabama Way in the last 12 months.

The aim of the PSPO would be to reduce the levels of anti-social behaviour in the area and the risks associated with it and, ultimately, keep residents safe.

PSPOs are orders under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to help stop individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour. 

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 would seek to 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 public consultation on the proposed PSPO is now open and will remain open until 16th July 2024.

More details, plus a link to Have Your Say on the proposals, can be found on the council's consultation website