March Cabinet: proposed extension to March 2027
Supported by the local community, businesses, Surrey Police and Elmbridge Borough Council, the current Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for parts of Walton-on-Thames will be brought to Elmbridge Cabinet in March, seeking agreement to extend the PSPO for an additional three years to March 2027.
There is no doubt that quality of life is impacted by anti-social behaviour (ASB). PSPO’s allow councils and the Police to tackle ASB or activities which are negatively affecting a community as they impose certain conditions and restrictions on people using a regulated area and give the Police and council additional powers to deal with certain activities such as street drinking and dangerous or anti-social cycling, scooting, hover-boarding or skateboarding
The Walton-on-Thames Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been in place since April 2018 and the town has seen a marked decrease in anti-social behaviour - up to 2023 we saw a reduction of 30%. In 2023 the PSPO was extended into North Walton for 12 months following further reports of ASB.
During the recent public consultation on the Walton PSPO, residents expressed their support for the order, and we are acting on their behalf to keep Elmbridge safe.
The Walton-on-Thames PSPO is due to expire. A new PSPO would apply for 3 years from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027.
Cllr Bruce McDonald
Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council
January - Consulting a new PSPO for Walton
The Walton-on-Thames Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been in place since April 2018 and the town has seen a marked decrease in anti-social behaviour (ASB) - up to 2023 we saw a reduction of 30%. This year also saw the PSPO extended into North Walton for 12 months following further reports of ASB.
The Walton-on-Thames PSPO is due to expire in March 2024 following its maximum 3-year term before it legally needs to be reviewed. We would now like to consult with you on how to take it forward.
Unfortunately, as with many towns, quality of life is impacted by anti-social behaviour. PSPO’s intend to tackle ASB or activities which are negatively affecting a community and we need to consult on the PSPO to reflect changes in legislation and current behaviour in Walton-on-Thames as reported by many of our residents and businesses.
PSPO’s impose certain conditions and restrictions on people using a regulated area and give the police and local authority additional powers to deal with certain activities.
A new PSPO would apply for 3 years from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027.
Over the next few months, we will be engaging closely with the Walton BID (Business Improvement District), Surrey Police, Councillors, Surrey County Council and others on the PSPO. We also have an online consultation form which is open from Tuesday 9 January at 9am and closes on Monday 19 February at 9am. Note: This consultation is now closed.
The proposed PSPO will remain focussed on substance misuse, street drinking, rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour, and vehicles such as bikes and scooters on the pavement. The proposed area can be seen on the map.