On-the-spot fines in Lancaster and Morecambe crack down on anti-social behaviour

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Seven types of behaviour could land you with an on-the-spot fine in some parts of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham, under special council and police powers being recommended for renewal.

Public space protection orders can see individual people handed a £100 fixed penalty notice for certain types of activity such as:

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  • Shouting, swearing or other behaviour which causes annoyance, harassment, alarm or distress.
  • Smoking, ingesting, injecting or otherwise taking an intoxicating substance including ‘legal highs’.
  • Drinking alcohol in a prohibited public area.

And if you refuse to comply, you could be arrested and face a £1,000 fine in court, if convicted.

The centre of Lancaster continues to be seen as a ‘hot spot’ for problems including anti-social behaviour and deliberate fires. Pic Robbie MacDonald LDR. Approved for partners.The centre of Lancaster continues to be seen as a ‘hot spot’ for problems including anti-social behaviour and deliberate fires. Pic Robbie MacDonald LDR. Approved for partners.
The centre of Lancaster continues to be seen as a ‘hot spot’ for problems including anti-social behaviour and deliberate fires. Pic Robbie MacDonald LDR. Approved for partners.

The orders have been a success some parts of the district, such as Morecambe, a new Lancaster City Council report states.

But the centre of Lancaster continues to be seen as a ‘hot spot’ for problems including anti-social behaviour and deliberate fires.

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Success elsewhere may have sent some problems into Lancaster, councillors are being told.

Now the city council is looking at extending public space protection orders for a further three-year period.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Peter Jackson, a cabinet member, is recommending new orders for locations including the city centre, central Morecambe and Lower Heysham be approved.

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Public space protection orders have already been running for some years.

These can be extended if it can be shown they are needed to stop a repeat of problems or problems becoming worse. Councillors on the cabinet are discussing extending them this week.

A cabinet report states: “Public space protection orders sit amongst a broad range of powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. They are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour and to help with persistent issues that are damaging communities. Enforcement can be undertaken by councils and the police.”

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Orders were first approved for central Lancaster in 2016 and areas of Morecambe and Heysham in 2018.

Since 2021, police data shows that, generally, reported anti-social behaviour has fallen. But problems still exist.

A public survey was done this summer and the report adds: “Concerns are still being raised by businesses, councillors and the public in Lancaster and Morecambe. Police data indicates that

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Lancaster city centre continues to be an anti-social behaviour hotspot and, as a result, have introduced Operation Paragon to address this.”

This uses funds from Lancashire’s Police & Crime Commissioner for extra work and patrols.

Areas targeted have included Happy Mount Park and Poulton ward.

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In the past 12 months, the park has seen an 85 per cent reduction in reported anti-social behaviour incidents. Poulton ward has seen a fall of nearly 24 per cent, the report states.

However, Lancashire Fire Service has reported an increase in deliberate secondary fires in Lancaster city centre. Evidence indicates youth anti-social behaviour is a factor.

In the summer survey, most people who responded said anti-social behaviour had taken place on streets.

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The main types were alcohol, drug and youth anti-social behaviour. But litter, graffiti and fly-tipping were also concerns. Just over 75 per cent of respondents said bad behaviour had affected them – with 31 per cent saying it had affected them a lot.

Hotspot locations include Cheapside in Lancaster, Lancaster bus station and Morecambe’s Happy Mount Park.

Last year, nitrous oxide gas was categorised by the government as a class C drug, but there are still reports of small silver capsules and bigger catering-sized cannisters being found locally.