New powers to improve the area where people are ‘driven to despair’

New powers will be given to police to crack down on anti-social behavior that is driving unhappy residents to “desperation”.

Liverpool Council has signed off on a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) around Smithdown Road and Toxteth Cemetery in a bid to stamp out problems blighting the community. The three-year order will give Merseyside Police and the city council more power to break up problem groups, as well as ban loud noise and disruption after a certain time.

The measures were introduced as local council officials admitted that previous attempts to bring cohesion were “not working”. A resident told a town hall committee that on one occasion they were attacked with fireworks near their home.

READ MORE: Crossbow bolt and knives seized during the crackdown

READ MORE: Firearms officer who sent homophobic and racist texts guilty of misconduct

Despite resources being invested in the area by the city and partners including Merseyside Police, residents have spoken of their frustration at the ongoing problems. One student who had been housed in the area during his studies described living in the community as “the worst experience of my life”.

A council can make a PSPO if it considers that activities in a public place in the authority’s area have had a “detrimental effect on the quality of life”. Once an order is made, the police, police community support officers and others authorized by Liverpool Council would have powers to issue fixed penalty notices for such breaches.

The new three-year measure will prevent the creation of noise by a vehicle, including revving engines or loud music, in the designated area. The document will also prohibit “being part of a group or gathering of six or more people together creating noise loud enough to cause, or be likely to cause, nuisance or annoyance to another person between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00”.

People believed to have been involved in disruptive behavior could face up to a 24-hour ban from the area, with consumption of alcohol within the boundaries also not allowed.

Jo Williams, Liverpool Council’s community co-ordinator, told the highways and committee that the area is “densely populated” with large groups congregating late at night, including children as young as 10 who have been handed behavior order contracts as part of a offers. to stop their behavior. Ms Williams said despite considerable intervention over the years, it was “not working”.

Ms Williams said she expected the measures to be “very welcome” and said while this could impact some in the community, it did not outweigh the need to restore quality of life for others. She said residents were “frustrated and stopped reporting” problems as a result.

But the officer warned that things would not change immediately overnight and the measure was not a “magic wand” either. She added that the council did not want to issue “hundreds of fixed penalty notices” and would look to work with the community.

The committee heard from one resident who became visibly emotional during his testimony. They said, “People don’t listen. We are abused, harassed every day, spat on and threatened. I do my best to report everything but I get abused for it.

“We’re about to move.”

The resident said they experienced “excessive noise” and needed protective window coverings to keep it out. They said they were attacked with fireworks and were “caught down” when they challenged anti-social behaviour.

“It’s constant, I’m desperate for a quality of life again. “It’s excessive to the point of despair.”

Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by subscribing to the Echo Daily newsletter here