New antisocial behaviour measures affecting Stone are set to be introduced from December after residents backed changes to Stafford Borough Council’s Public Spaces Protection Order.
Around 390 people took part in a six week consultation on the proposals, around three times the number who responded to the previous review.
Among the changes is a new restriction covering face coverings when they are being used in connection with antisocial behaviour, criminal activity or behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress.
The measure is not a general ban on face coverings.
It will apply where a covering substantially obscures a person’s face and is being worn in circumstances likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, or facilitate antisocial behaviour or criminal activity.
More than 90 per cent of those who responded to the consultation supported the proposal, with Stafford Borough Council saying 92 per cent were in favour.
A person who refuses to remove a face covering in circumstances covered by the restriction could receive a £100 fine.
The council has stressed that people wearing face coverings who are not looking to cause trouble will have nothing to worry about.
Councillor Jill Hood, Stafford Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community, said
“We received reports of people being ‘alarmed’ and ‘intimidated’ when confronted by those with face masks. The coverings can also make it difficult for CCTV operatives and witnesses to identify those involved in criminal activity and I’m very pleased that of those who took part in the consultation, 92 percent supported putting this new provision in place.”
She added
“Overall this was a fantastic response and thank you to everyone who took part and made their voice heard so that we can continue helping to tackle issues that blight our area.”
Public Spaces Protection Orders, known as PSPOs, allow councils to introduce restrictions intended to tackle behaviour having a negative impact in a particular area.
The wider Stafford Borough PSPO also contains provisions covering issues including drinking alcohol in the street, dog fouling and unauthorised access to the roofs of buildings.
PSPOs are reviewed every three years, with the latest measures due to be introduced in December.
More information is available from Stafford Borough Council at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/pspo.
