Have your say Public Space Protection Order for the Bangor area

Plans are underway to extend the Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) which is currently in force in Bangor city centre for a further three years.

The order, which is administered by Cyngor Gwynedd’s Community Safety Service and has been in place since 2019, means that the Police have additional powers within this area to address specific issues or nuisance, with the aim of improving the lives of residents and those visiting the city.

Full details of the order are available on the Cyngor Gwynedd website for members of the public to see, before sharing their views on the plans to extend it for a further three years. In addition to this, Cyngor Gwynedd will seek the views of local county councillors and city councillors on the matter.

All comments received will be carefully considered before the decision will be made whether to extend the order or not.

The PSPO is intended to target:

• Behaviour that is likely to cause disturbance, intimidation, nuisance or distress
• Being in a state of intoxication as a result of alcohol or drug induced activity
• Drinking alcohol after the Police have requested a person to stop drinking
• Loitering or performing for reward within 10 meters of a cash point.

Signs have been put up in key areas of Bangor to inform people of the restrictions.

Councillor Dilwyn Morgan, Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for community safety, said: “I would emphasise that Bangor continues to be a safe city to live, work and visit, with only a small minority of people making a nuisance of themselves to local people and businesses.

“As a Council, we work closely with our partners from North Wales Police and the wider community to tackle anti-social behaviour and the PSPO has been a key tool to help us do that.

“The vast majority of people in Bangor have never been involved in any form of anti-social behaviour and it is not our intention to stop people from socialising nor to stop people from using and enjoying public spaces.

“Rather, the purpose of the order is to make it easier for authorities to tackle the small minority of people involved in anti-social behaviour, ensuring that our communities remain safe, open and vibrant that everyone can enjoy and where they feel safe.”

Chief Inspector Stephen Pawson of North Wales Police said: “North Wales Police fully supports the extension of the PSPO in Bangor to ensure we can continue to work with partners in addressing ongoing issues on the High Street.

“Since the introduction of the PSPO in 2019 there has been significant reduction in incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and street drinking.

“However, a recent community survey provided feedback from residents and businesses which highlighted that ASB-related incidents remain a concern.

“A significant amount of work has been undertaken in the area to build resilience to serious organised crime and reduce crime on the High Street. The PSPO remains an essential tool at our disposal to continue this work for the benefit of residents and businesses.”

Local people can view the current order and a map which show which areas it applies to on the Cyngor Gwynedd website: www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/HaveYourSay 

To give your comments on the proposal to extend the order until 2028, please e-mail DiogelwchCymunedol@gwynedd.llyw.cymru, phone 01766 771 000  or write to Community Safety Consultation, Cyngor Gwynedd, Stryd y Jêl, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1SH.

The consultation will close on Monday, 3 November.