An order is being put in place to clamp down on antisocial behaviour in Downton and Redlynch.

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Downton and Redlynch comes after a public consultation was held in response to catapults, slingshots and similar items capable of launching a projectile being used. 

A PSPO is used to help prevent antisocial behaviour in an area. Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, PSPO’s give local authorities flexible powers to respond to particular issues affecting their communities.

The order means that anyone found in breach of it could be issued with an on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.

The consultation ran from May 4 to June 15 and received more than 120 responses mostly from local residents who confirmed that they were finding the antisocial behaviour a big problem and would be in favour of the PSPO being put in place.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for public protection, said: “Putting a Public Spaces Protection Order in place on an area is not ever done lightly, but in this instance the response was overwhelmingly in favour of it being brought in, to try and ease the antisocial behaviour in Downton and Redlynch.

“PSPOs may not always solve a problem completely, but they are a useful tool and deterrent to help combat this type of antisocial behaviour.

“As stated in our Business Plan, we want Wiltshire to be a place where people are safe, and the action we have taken here will support that.”

Downton and Ebble Valley ward councillor and Wiltshire Council leader Richard Clewer added: “By itself the [PSPO] will not solve specific problems, but the ongoing work between police and community has reduced this behaviour. I welcome this tool coming in but it is only part of the solution. It is up to the police, the council, all partners, to work together to deal with this.”

To find out more about the PSPO for Downton and Redlynch and what would be included in the order, visit Wiltshire Council's website.