Ilfracombe considers extended crackdown on drinking-linked anti-social behaviour

An order to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Ilfracombe could be extended to more of the town’s beaches following a rise in reports of intimidating behaviour from people drinking.

But a councillor has warned that more needs to be done to help support people with problems in the community.

North Devon Council has launched a consultation asking residents if they think the public space protection order (PSPO) which has been in operation for ten years should be extended to include Wildermouth Beach, the Harbour Beach and Cheyne Beach.

The order gives the police powers to take away alcohol and other intoxicating substances from individuals within a certain area and to prevent them causing alarm or distress to others from their behaviour.

But whilst the order covers a large part of the town and beaches, it has resulted in street drinkers migrating to beaches outside the designated area.

North Devon Council, the police and other agencies receive frequent concerns and reports of intimidating and anti-social behaviour in Ilfracombe, particularly on the beaches.

The council proposes to extend the area prior to the start of the main summer holiday period and the public will have until July 8 to give their views.

Councillor Paul Crabb, who is a Conservative county and district councillor for Ilfracombe said the PSPO was a worthy addition to the police’s arsenal but the council was also encouraging landlords of specialist HMOs (house of multiple occupation) to take some responsibility for the people they housed.

“They get an uplift in rent for housing people from across the county who whilst not really ill may need some extra support. Some landlords are excellent but the definition of care for others is to give the residents a bowl of porridge and that’s it. We are encouraging them to give a little more support which might help in preventing anti-social behaviour.

“There is more to it than making sure there is no damp in the rooms. The care side of it is lacking and clearly whatever sort of vetting is going on to make sure these places are suitable to house vulnerable people, it is not working.”

The PSPO also aims to prevent nuisance behaviours such as public urination and aggressive begging.

A breach of the PSPO can lead to a £100 fixed penalty, of which failure to pay can result in court proceedings and a fine of up to £1,000.

Chief executive officer at North Devon Council, Ken Miles, said: “The extended anti-social behaviour PSPO would allow us to deal directly with conduct that can have a damaging impact on people's lives, so I would encourage people to take part and have their say.

“The PSPO empowers the police and our own ASB officers, neighbourhood wardens and street marshals to address negative behaviour and ensure Ilfracombe is a town residents and visitors alike can enjoy safely.”

The consultation will be available on the council’s website https://www.northdevon.gov.uk and paper copies can be collected/completed at the following locations:

• Ilfracombe Centre on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 9am–1pm and 2–5pm)
• Lynton House, Barnstaple (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9am-1pm)
• The Amory Centre in South Molton (Thursday 9am–1pm and 2–5pm)