City of Lincoln Council’s Executive has approved the renewal of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering three city centre multi-storey car parks.
City of Lincoln Council’s Executive has approved the renewal of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering three city centre multi-storey car parks, with an additional restriction to help prevent interference with parking equipment.
The order, which will remain in place for a further three years, covers Lucy Tower, Broadgate and Lincoln Central multi-storey car parks.
It gives the council and Lincolnshire Police powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and help ensure the car parks remain safe and welcoming for residents, visitors and staff.
The existing order prohibits behaviours including drug and intoxicating substance use, actions likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, obstructive gatherings and loitering without a permitted purpose. It also covers other anti-social behaviour, such as public urination and offensive conduct.
The renewed order introduces an additional prohibition targeting people who access the car parks without having a vehicle parked there and interfere with parking equipment without authorisation or a reasonable excuse.
This means people will be prohibited from loitering near, touching or interfering with parking equipment unless they have a vehicle parked at that location, a reasonable excuse, or the necessary authorisation.
The change aims to help prevent disruption to parking services, protect equipment and reduce behaviour that can affect people using the car parks.
The PSPO provides council officers and police with an additional tool to address anti-social behaviour. Officers can initially ask individuals to stop the behaviour or leave the restricted area where appropriate, with further action available if the requirements are ignored.
A public consultation held over the summer found that 94% of respondents supported renewing the existing order, while all respondents supported the additional prohibition.
Feedback from Lincolnshire Police, the council’s CCTV team and its car parking team also highlighted the continued value of the order in helping officers engage with individuals and address anti-social behaviour.
Ben Jackson, Public Protection, Anti-social Behaviour and Licensing Service Manager at City of Lincoln Council, said:
“Our city centre car parks are important facilities for residents, businesses and visitors, and we want people to feel safe and confident when using them.
“Renewing the PSPO gives our officers and Lincolnshire Police continued powers to address anti-social behaviour, while the additional restriction will help protect parking equipment from interference and reduce disruption for people using our car parks.
“We will continue to take a proportionate approach, with officers seeking to address issues through engagement in the first instance and taking further action where necessary.”
The PSPO will be enforced by Lincolnshire Police and authorised council officers. Breaches may result in a fixed penalty notice or prosecution, depending on the circumstances.
Members of the public and anyone using the car parks are encouraged to report suspected breaches to Lincolnshire Police or the council so they can be investigated and appropriate action taken.
The order will remain in place for three years, with a review due in 2029 to determine whether it should be renewed or amended.