Agenda item

RESOLVED to note the content of this report and level and the scope of work being carried out to meet the requirements of the PSPO.

6.1  Gerry McCarthy introduced the report on the Public Space Protection Orders for the period from 1^st January 2018 to 31^st December 2018.  The following areas were highlighted:

• The visible street population appeared to have had increased in the previous three years, but the behaviour of individuals had been moderated by use of the DPPO/PSPO and other powers
• The complaints relating to street drinking had reduced to 26 reports in 2018 from the 609 reports recorded prior to the implementation of the DPPO. 
• The Council had maximised the resources available and established very effective operational partnership working and tasking to address street drinking and related ASB issues.
• Monthly Street Users Outreach Meeting (SUOM) were held with Council officers, Police and outreach staff regularly meeting to discuss individual cases and co-ordinate the enforcement activity and improve treatment efforts in order to tackle alcohol related ASB and street drinking.
• The Partnership Tasking Group met regularly to identify any emerging or actual hotspots and the tasking of police and enforcement resources.
• The Community Safety Team had identified hotspots and action plans were in place and supplemented by joint patrols involving Police, Enforcement Officers and Community Safety Officers.  Referrals had been made to Westminster Drugs Partnership and other support agencies as appropriate.
• There were currently two Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) in place on individuals in Hackney.
• The Group Director, Neighbourhoods and Housing had convened a working group consisting of Officers from Housing Needs, Community Safety, Enforcement and Public Health to review the current support and interventions commissioned or offered to street users.
• The Council had recognised in its Manifesto commitment regading street users that officers would engage with drinkers and refer them to Street Link to moderate their behaviour.  Hackney Enforcement Officers and the Metropolitan Police Officers issued anti- social behaviour warnings prior to the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices for street drinking in an attempt to tackle the problem in a proportionate manner.  Prosecution would be considered in extreme circumstances and in the event a failure to pay  a fine or breaching an injunction.

6.2  Councillor Stops asked whether further work could be carried out to prevent or stop the sale of alcohol cans by off licences to people already drunk, which was contributing to street drinking in Hackney.  Mr McCarthy stated that the Council was taking action against off licences and targeted work had been taken in the Narrow Way in Mare Street.  In addition there had been no restrictions on the off licences to sell no more than one can of alcohol.  Councillor Selman highlighted that Licensing had the powers to take enforcement action against a licensee in breach of their premises licence, however, no action could be taken against those holding a historic licence that did not have any condition restricting the sale of alcohol cans.  Further, legal action against a street drinker had been a challenge as the Council had to provide evidence and meet a high legal threshold.

6.3  Councillor Rahilly noted the drop in ASB warnings issued for street drinking since May to November 2018.  Mr McCarthy replied that the fall had resulted from the ongoing engagement with street drinkers and support provided by officers and various agencies.  Councillor Selman emphasised that there were currently no injunctions in place in relation to ASB associated with street drinking under the PSPO.  The two current active ASBOs on the individuals had been issued under the former DPPO and prior to the introduction of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

6.4  Councillor Snell referred to the fewer calls made to the Police for street drinking from 126 in 2014 to 26 in 2018 and enquired about underlying reasons relating to the drop and the ASB warnings in Dalston issued by the police.  Mr McCarthy stated that there were many factors that had led to a drop in warnings.  With regard to Dalston, Council officers and the police had issued warnings during the days of action undertaken in Dalston.

6.5  Councillor Gordon asked if any FPN had been issued for ASB related to drinking.  Mr McCarthy replied that no FPN had been issued yet and that the Council had taken an approach to refer street drinkers for support before applying for injunction against vulnerable people.  Councillors Joseph and Gordon asked if Members could have quantitative data and a case study relating to vulnerable people in particular ASB associated to substance misuse.  Mr McCarthy advised that any information would have to be anonymised.  Councillor Selman indicated that it would be feasible to look at outcome measures and data and case profile.

6.6  Councillor Ozsen commented that there was no evidence to suggest that off licences were contributing to crime in the borough.

Councillor Stops commended the service for its successful work tackling drinking in public places.

RESOLVED to note the content of this report and level and the scope of work being carried out to meet the requirements of the PSPO.