Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies is pleased that a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Rhyl Town Centre is now in force for the third time and believes it can be instrumental in helping the town get back on its feet.
PSPOs are orders under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which ban specific acts in a designated geographical area in Wales and England as set out in the Act.
The new PSPO for Rhyl town centre is being introduced following a public consultation, which gathered feedback on whether it should be implemented, and whether it should include anti-social behaviour and street drinking. Responses to the consultation expressed overwhelming support for the reintroduction and proposed conditions and boundaries of the restricted area.
The following places will be covered by the order:
Rhyl Promenade from East Parade to Alexandra Road
South from East Parade down Bath Street
From Brighton Road to the junction with Grange Road Bridge and west to Elwy Street
Elwy Street to the junction with Wellington Road
Wellington Road to John Street
John Street to West Parade, including the promenade
James submitted a letter of support for the third order, as he did for the previous two, and is therefore delighted that it has been approved, although he is disappointed that his proposal to include the beginning of Vale Road was not adopted.
He said:
“Sadly, anti-social behaviour remains prevalent in our communities, and particularly so in Rhyl town centre. This PSPO will be instrumental in helping to get it under control in the town centre.
“The previous two PSPOs have been extremely successful, and this latest order will build on that success and make the town centre a more pleasant and less intimidating place for both locals and tourists to visit.
“I am pleased the PSPO includes such a wide area of the town centre. However, with reports of antisocial behaviour also taking place on and around Vale Road, I am disappointed that my suggestion to include the first part of the road was not taken on board.
“There will be much great work going on to regenerate Rhyl, thanks to the millions the town is receiving as part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda, and providing powers to tackle antisocial behaviour is vital alongside this work.
“Anti-social behaviour is sometimes referred to as "low-level crime", but its impact on a town can be extensive, as we have witnessed in Rhyl.
“I have long emphasised the need to take a firm approach to tackle anti-social behaviour and during my time as an MP I have been working with local police on this agenda. I therefore very much welcomed the Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan announced by the Prime Minister last year which aims to ensure the issue is tackled with the urgency it deserves.
“Anti-social behaviour is unacceptable. It prevents people from spending time in their local area, makes women and girls feel unsafe, and erodes a sense of community. Tackling it is key to levelling up and restoring pride in local communities.”
James added:
“I thank all those involved in reintroducing a PSPO in Rhyl town centre and I look forward to witnessing the improvements that it will activate.”
More information: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/community-and-living/community-safet…
