Dorset Councillors have approved eight new Public Spaces Protection Orders for 2022. The new orders will replace the existing orders for West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland.
The orders cover anti-social behaviour in Bridport, Dorchester, Lyme Regis, Portland, West Bay and Weymouth, and introduce new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour related to unauthorised camping on beaches and lighting of open fires in forest areas in Ringwood and Wareham.
Following public consultation in late 2021 and approval by Dorset Cabinet, the orders were made today (19 May 2022). They will come into force on the 1 July 2022 and expire on the 30 June 2025. The orders renew and introduce powers that can be used by the council and partners to address anti-social behaviour.
In all six towns dispersal powers are in place, which means that people engaging in anti-social behaviour could be fined if they fail to move on when asked.
The new orders restrict camping on beaches in several locations, including Chesil Beach, Weymouth Beach and Lulworth. This is in response to the rising number of people camping on beaches during recent summers, which led to a significant increase in nuisance complaints, damage to property, accumulation of rubbish and human waste and destruction of natural habitat.
The Dorset Open Land Anti-Social Behaviour related PSPO offers an additional measure in preventing wildfires, following the devastating fire at Wareham Forest in May 2020 which destroyed over 220 hectares of the forest. This measure is supported by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, who emphasised they are committed to working with the council to protect these areas.
Cllr Laura Miller, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, said:
“Dorset Council has a key role to play in helping to make sure our public spaces can be used and enjoyed by everyone.
“We don’t want to prevent or stop people from enjoying themselves responsibly, but we know how anti-social behaviour can impact our communities and we need to ensure we have measures and tools in place should we need them.”
Additional notes
Under the provisions of s.66 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, an interested person may apply to the High Court within 6 weeks from the date that the PSPO is made to question its validity on the grounds that:
(a) the local authority did not have the power to make the order or variation, or to include particular prohibitions or requirements imposed by the order (or by the order as varied);
(b) a requirement under Chapter 2 of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 was not complied with in relation to the order.
An ‘interested person’ is defined by section 66(1) of the Act as being an individual who lives in the restricted area or who regularly works in or visits that area.
Feedback provided by WTC and others during the public consultation recommended that the whole of the quayside on Weymouth Harbour South Harbourside should be included in the PSPO zone and not just certain sections. DC decided not to act on this recommendation but instead agreed to review it. Please could you explain the review process, who will be involved and the time line for this review.
Sue – I believe at Overview Committee we said a review would take place with WTC ahead of the next replacement order; these new orders run until 30 June 2025. We haven’t yet established what the review will entail or who will be involved yet – James
At Overview Committee DC said the plan for the proposed additional areas would be to go away and look at the evidence base, discuss it with the police and relevant town council, and if the evidence supports the need, the PSPO would be drafted and put out to consultation. If the intention is simply to review the evidence in time for the next replacement order in 3 years time, DC should have made that clearer.
Just wondering why these are not being policed chesil full of campsites last weekend and have them being set up now no sign of any enforcement
16 July 2022 – The PSPO is not working here in West Bexington it is full of unauthorised campers, my husband counted 20 tents and then gave up! Why do we not have a big notice to tell people they cannot camp on the beach?
There is a camper van in the corner of the car park that has been there all week!
What is the point of putting this order in place, if you then do nothing about the problem?
Hi Penny, has this been resolved now? If not you can report these encampments to our Community Safety Team Email: communitysafetyteamc@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk Tel: 01305 762439 thanks Fiona