The purpose of this report is to seek authorisation for a Public Spaces Protection Order in Woodchurch, Wirral, for a period of 3 years.

The decision is not a key decision. It affects the Upton Ward, and it is proposed to promote the vision for safe and vibrant communities within the Wirral Plan.

Resolved – That the Assistant Director of Neighbourhood Safety and Transport exercised the delegation afforded under the Council’s Constitution and Scheme of Delegation for Neighbourhood Services and duly authorised a 3-year Public Spaces Protection Order for a designated area in Woodchurch, Wirral.

The area in question around Hoole Road and the Meadow areas of Woodchurch has historically had issues with youths causing annoyance for many years. In the last 12 months Merseyside Police have received a significant number of complaints regarding youths causing annoyance/nuisance taking place in and around Hoole Road shops and the adjacent semi pedestrianised area ‘The Meadow’, which is a cut through made up of alleyways, green space and housing. This area is in centre of the Woodchurch estate and is a busy throughfare. In addition to the complaints the Police have received Magenta Living who are the major Social Housing provider in the area have received a high volume of complaints as have the local councillors and MP for the area. 

  This location has previously been subjected to various targeted Police work but the situation has not improved in the long term despite their best efforts. The alternative enforcement tools that are contained within the Act and that are available to the Council such as Community Protection Notices or Injunctions and Criminal Behaviour Orders are considered to be either less effective and efficient to deal with the types and nature of anti-social behaviour experienced in the areas or are not able to be used in view of the fact that the identity of the individuals that are engaging in anti-social behaviour and this is a pre-requisite for the use of the relevant enforcement tool.