Lancashire Telegraph
TOUGH new powers for police and council officers to tackle nuisance and aggressive behaviour including going to the toilet in public, throwing missiles and setting fires have been proposed for the Ewood area of Blackburn.
A new order to tackle vandalism, harassment of residents, and general disorder has been proposed for a 50 acre area surrounding the Rovers football ground and nearby travellers site.
The scheme has been welcomed by Ewood councillor Maureen Bateson, Thwaites Empire Theatre boss Michael Berry and community association chairman Brian Todd.
It follows complaints from police, the fire brigade, residents and businesses after a string of incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in recent months including smashed windows, damaged cars and soccer fans urinating in the street after matches at Ewood Park.
The order was published for consultation on Friday by Blackburn with Darwen Council.
People have until April 15 to make comments before a final decision is made on its imposition.
It bans anti-social activities including:
* collecting and lighting bonfires and other ‘combustible materials’;
* discharging or throw any projectile or other objects to cause damage property or nuisance;
* urinating or defecating in any public space;
* keeping horses, poultry, livestock or other animals in any public space without the written consent of the landowner;
* walking dogs off leads; and
* riding motor cycles on footpaths or other off-road land.
Uniformed police officers will get new powers to immediately require people to hand over possible weapons and missiles and to disperse groups of three or more people acting in an anti-social manner ‘likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress’.
Any person breaking the order, which will last for three years, will face a £100 on the spot penalty or a court fine of up to £1,000.
The proposed Bolton Road / Ewood area Public Space Protection Order 2016 follows the success of a similar more limited measure introduced last year in the Bastwell and Robinson Street area to tackle the nuisance lighting of bonfires and discharging of fireworks.
It covers an area along Bolton Road from Lock Mill Flats to the north down to the bottom of Ewood Park and The Fernhurst pub in the South.
It is bounded on one side by the Darwen to Blackburn railway line and covers the Ewood Travellers site and and crossing the Leeds-Liverpool canal to include Green Park on the other side before coming back to the bottom of Alan Shearer Way and running along the rear of the shops and businesses on the A666.
Ewood Cllr Bateson said: “We have had major problems in the area including vandalism, flytipping, people going to the toilet in the street, and throwing missiles and general anti-social behaviour.
“Residents, including those on the travellers site, have been getting fed up with this.
“There are some problems with fans at Ewood Park but there have been more general difficulties.
“I support this order which will hopefully make it easier for police and council officials to take swift action.”
Borough deputy chief executive Denise Park said: “The process to seek an order in the Ewood area was triggered in response to a high number of complaints received from a number of residents, local businesses and the fire and rescue service regarding anti-social behaviour issues in the area.
“The intention of the Public Space Protection Order is to ensure law abiding citizens can use and enjoy public spaces without fear of experiencing anti-social behaviour.”
Thwaites Empire Theatre chairman Mr Berry said: “I hope this will held ensure people can live in peace without nuisance and vandalism.
“It is to be welcomed.”
Ewood Community Association chairman Mr Todd said: “I can see no negative implications of this order, “Hopefully it may help police and council officers to act swiftly and act as a deterrent to nuisance behaviour.”
Lancashire Police and Blackburn Rovers declined to comment.
