Tougher powers to deal with anti-social behaviour in parks – together with to guard wildlife following “horrific” canine assaults in Stanley Park – have been agreed by councillors.
It is hoped the brand new controls, set out in a brand new public area safety order (PSPO) for open areas and cemeteries in Blackpool, will probably be in place early subsequent 12 months. Following approval by Blackpool Council’s Climate Change and Environment Scrutiny Committee, it have to be rubber-stamped by a choose.
One of the important thing elements is more durable enforcement to make sure canine walkers maintain their pets on a lead whereas walking subsequent to council water options together with Stanley Park Lake, in Devonshire Road Rock Gardens, and the lake at Kincraig Nature Reserve in North Shore.
Powers additionally cowl unlawful tenting, vandalism and use of unauthorised automobiles, with using e-bikes and scooters cited as a specific nuisance.
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Police chiefs, who attended the scrutiny assembly, stated the extra powers would act as a preventative measure but in addition assist them build up a case for prosecution if offenders are persistent. Superintendent Chris Hardy, of Blackpool Police, stated: “This is about people being advised and being aware that in this park my dog needs to be on a lead, and I need to be a responsible dog owner.”
He additionally warned the police would work carefully with the council, and take motion which may result in prosecution if proof was discovered of harmful dogs in public areas. Lisa Arnold, assistant director of group and environmental companies on the council, stated in depth CCTV in Stanley Park is also used to establish homeowners of harmful dogs so data could possibly be handed onto the police.
Results from a 10-week session into the brand new controls discovered almost 83 per cent of respondents agreed with dogs having to be on leads close to council-owned water options.
It follows anger locally after two deadly assaults on swans on Stanley Park Lake, believed to have been by dogs not on leads.
Coun Sarah Smith stated: “There have been horrific situations with wildlife attacked. The public don’t want to see people getting away with bad behaviour when it has these horrible consequences.”
