North East Lincolnshire Council has announced the trial of a new Tannoy system aimed at reducing ASB and informing the public of the rules in place across the town centre.
Two columns, located at the Bull Ring and at the junction of George Street and Victoria Street South, house the equipment used to enable messages to be projected to those walking in the centre.
On Wednesday, 24 July, the system will be trialled for the first time to inform people that biking along Victoria Street South is prohibited under the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). Short announcements will be played every 15 minutes informing the public of the rules in place.
There are seven Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in place across North East Lincolnshire. Public consultation in 2023 again identified anti-social behaviour as the public’s number one concern and as having the largest negative impact on a community or neighbourhood if left unaddressed and there was overwhelming support for the existing and amended PSPOs.
The PSPOs are intended to support a wider intelligence-led place-based problem-solving approach to address ASB in defined geographical locations. During 2023, after a public consultation exercise conditions to control alcohol-related ASB were incorporated into the PSPOs covering Grimsby Town Centre, Peoples Park and Cleethorpes Town Centre & Seafront.
There are also two dog control PSPO’s. If a Police Constable or authorised person witnesses somebody behaving or displaying any behaviour that is prohibited then they can ask them to leave that area and not return within 24 hours.
The details of the incident will be recorded and sent to the appropriate department within the council. They will then look into the evidence provided and, if appropriate, a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100 will be issued. Failure to make payment could result in a fine of up to £1,000 at the Magistrates Court.
Announcing the plans, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, Councillor Ron Shepherd, said: “We as a Council have a zero tolerance policy on crime and ASB.
“Grimsby town centre is a key area for our borough and those causing ASB in the area need to be made aware of what they are doing and reprimanded accordingly.
“Additionally, this new Tannoy system will be a way of educating a wider audience as visitors and residents go about their daily business. Should the trail be successful, we look forward to expanding its use in the future.”
Article and image from NELC.
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