Plans to ban city centre beggars, skateboarders and charity muggers

[dutchman]

Those breaking the rules could face a £100 fine or a criminal record



Tough new measures to tackle beggars, skateboarders and charity chuggers are set to be introduced in Coventry city centre .

A public consultation will be held over plans to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) across the whole of the city centre which would outlaw a wide range of activities leaving those breaking the rules facing a £100 fine - or possibly a criminal record.

The city council says it is looking to introduce the new rules after complaints from members of the public about a wide range of ‘anti social behaviours’.

Public Spaces Protection Orders aim to deal with a particular nuisance in a particular area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community.

Breaching a PSPO is not a criminal offence but those breaking the rules would be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days).

If people don’t pay the fine they can be summoned to court and end up with a criminal record.

Courts can also assign conditions such as compulsory attendance at drug rehabilitation courses or banning people from certain areas at certain times.

Coun George Duggins , leader of the council, said: “Skateboarding and cycling are positive activities but in some locations it doesn’t sit positively with the people who are walking on pavements in areas like the precinct.

“We’re trying to make visiting the city centre a more pleasant experience.”

Mr Hickin added: “During the hours the activity would be banned we tend to have more elderly people who are not so steady on their feet in the city centre and they could easily end up falling over or being injured if they’re surprised.”

Asked if there had been any reports of skateboarding-related injuries to pedestrians, officials said there had been none they were aware of.

Coun Duggins said: “We’re responding to a large number of complaints from, members of the public.

“We want an attractive city centre destination for residents, shoppers and visitors. The city centre is for everybody and we want everybody to enjoy the city centre.

“We want to ensure behaviours that might put people off visiting the city centre, or make them feel intimidated, are addressed.”

Coun Duggins added: “It’s not draconian at all. Freedom kills freedom. We have to be aware that when people come hurtling towards others on skateboards or bicycles it does intimidate people.”

[rebbonk]

What about inconsiderate cyclists Duggins?

[Melisandre]

There was I thinking the city was for the young in mind perhaps when older they will shop else where . I thought there would be plenty of space in the City for skateboarders considering the council are always complaining about not enough people go to town to buy with all the shops closing down.

£100 fine Its going to be known as a money making CCC they must be desperate what a snobby boreing city its becoming Buskers too if not granted permission from the council .

In that case how about banning inconsiderate rude people mainly certain foreigners and people using their phones that just cut up electric wheel chair users or wheel chairs that are being pushed I have never had problems with scateboards in my wheel chairs its been people who are rude or dont look where they are going while on their phones. Or will they ban wheel chairs and didabled scooters next.

[dutchman]

On-the-spot fines to be introduced and charity chuggers limited to just a few areas of the city centre



Strict new rules have been agreed to crack down on city centre charity chuggers, beggars, buskers, skateboarders and cyclists.

A Public Spaces Protection Order has been introduced by city councillors to make it easier to halt anti-social behaviour, with the threat of on-the-spot £100 fines and criminal records for offenders.

Coventry City Council’s cabinet voted through the new powers yesterday following a series of complaints about the city centre.

The council’s neighbourhood officers will be able to issue the fines, which it is claimed will be a far quicker and more effective deterrent than trying to take people to court.

Charity chuggers will no longer be able to approach people in some areas in the city centre, with collections limited to Trinity Street, The Burges and Ironmonger Row for those who first gain the council’s permission. No date has been given for the changes to come into effect.

In a additional move, councillors will also consider moving car park pay stations to try to stop beggars using them as prime sites for begging.

The council’s deputy leader Cllr Abdul Khan (Lab, Foleshill) said the issue of begging needed to be tackled.

He told the cabinet meeting: “We want to make the city centre a place where people feel comfortable.

“We have outlined what is on the consultation, in respect to a number of issues, in particular begging.

“Beggars in city centre give people a bad impression and we feel this needs tackling.”

He added that the council would continue “supporting vulnerable people with multiple complex needs, who may be begging or rough sleeping in the city centre.”

Council leader George Duggins said the council would now monitor levels of begging in the city centre to ensure there was no ‘displacement effect’ - with people simply moving on to other areas.

Cycling and skateboarding in the city centre have also raised a lot of complaints but will be allowed to continue.

Cllr Khan added: “Skateboarding was considered carefully as there were a lot of for and against.

“The recommendation seeks that cycling and skateboarding is allowed, however if people are doing it dangerously, they could be fined.

“Street performers should be following a code of conduct, if people follow it we will allow them to busk.”

Cllr Gary Crookes said: “I bought lunch today in city centre and witnessed three incidents - cyclists seem to go for the pedestrians.

“One person jumped out of the way, a rider ran his cycle oblivious to shoppers as he was on his phone connected to his earpiece and had no attention paying to people in front, and another cyclist in Hertford Street who made people move out of the way.

“There is an issue here.

“Skateboarders are damaging some surfaces but with the racket they make, you do hear them coming.”

There are talks for a new skate park to be built under the ring road.

Cllr Ed Ruane (Lab, Henley) said: “To update, we are looking at venues for skate parks.

“I would declare an interest in a site under the ring road which is being used as storage.

“It would provide shelter so they can skateboard in all weathers.”

Cllr Jayne Innes said: “I would be happy to meet and have a discussion about the skate park venue.

“We haven’t even discussed anything with the cycling community so it is too early to set anything in stone.

“It would also be discussed with older people, people with disabilities.”

Although approved, there is no specific date in which the order will come into place.