PLANS to create a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in Chelmsley Wood have been put forward by Solihull Council.
This comes after an increase in anti-social behaviour in an around the bus interchange.
Before the order can be implemented, the Council needs to consult with people who live and work in Chelmsley Wood.
Solihull Council say there have been consistently high numbers of anti-social behaviour reports in and around Chelmsley Wood bus interchange.
This includes 113 calls to the police about anti-social behaviour in the area from July to November 2024 which ranged from damage to buses and other vehicles to thefts and fighting.
It added there have also been reports of people carrying knives and of dangerous and inconsiderate riding of high-powered electric motorbikes.
Solihull Council say although the area is covered by CCTV, many of the people carrying out these crimes have hidden their identity by covering their faces with balaclavas and scarves.
Because of these issues, Solihull Council and West Midlands Police would like to create a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in the area as they believe this would help to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area considerably.
In summary, the PSPO would:
- Prohibit people from riding, cycling or using an e-bike, e-scooter, motorbike or quad bike within the restricted area, unless they have a reasonable excuse
- Give an authorised person, such as a police or council officer, the power to require groups of three or more people to leave the restricted area from 6pm to 6am
- Give an authorised person, such as a police or council officer, the power to require a person to remove a face covering if it hides their identity and they’re suspected of anti-social behaviour.
The PSPO would remain in force for a maximum of three years. Failure to comply with a PSPO is a criminal offence and currently the maximum penalty on conviction is £2,500.
Solihull Council’s cabinet member for Communities, Councillor Wazma Qais, said: “Anti-social behaviour in and around the bus interchange in Chelmsley Wood is having a very negative affect on local residents and businesses. Data from West Midlands Police shows the level of the problem and we think that a PSPO will help to tackle it.
“Before we can implement a PSPO we need to hold a consultation. I would urge anyone who lives, works or has a business in the area to help us get this right by taking part. By doing so, you can provide us with valuable feedback about the proposed PSPO as a whole and the individual elements of it. There are seven questions and it should only take about five to ten minutes to complete.”
The consultation closes at 5pm on March 16.
To read the proposed PSPO in full and take part in the consultation click here.
If anyone witnesses anti-social behaviour, please reporting it by calling the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline on 0121 717 1500 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
