Car park anti-social behaviour measures extended

Measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in Lincoln multi-storey car parks will remain in place for a further three years.

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was put in place at Lucy Tower, Broadgate and Lincoln Central in 2020 and was extended in 2023.

The order has now been renewed again after City of Lincoln Council said police data showed there had been 98 "calls for service" across the three car parks so far this year.

Ben Jackson, the council's public protection, anti-social behaviour and licensing service manager, 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."

The PSPO gives the council and Lincolnshire Police additional powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in the three car parks.

Its focus includes drug use, loitering and urinating in public.

The council said the PSPO was originally introduced to address rough sleeping, alcohol and drug use, and vandalism of parking equipment, payment machines and CCTV equipment.

The local authority said that while the problems had reduced, the car parks were still subject to groups congregating, rough sleeping, urinating in public and alcohol and drug use.

The updated PSPO also makes it an offence to loiter near, touch or interfere with vehicles or parking equipment without a reasonable excuse.

A public consultation held over summer saw 94% of respondents back extending the order, while all the respondents supported the new restrictions.

Jackson said: "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."

Breaches of the PSPO could result in fixed penalty notices or prosecution.

The order will be reviewed in 2029.

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