A NEW, Basildon and borough-wide consultation has launched to seek residents' views on the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) and the deployment of the Community Safety Wardens.

The PSPO has been in place since April 2022, giving Authorised Officers and Community Safety Wardens more powers to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in our parks and town centres. The PSPO prohibits anti-social behaviour concerning alcohol and substance use, urination and defecation, use of motor vehicles, pony and traps, and car cruising.

The Community Safety Wardens provide a visible uniformed presence in our communities six days per week, engaging with the local community and businesses to identify concerns, respond to local issues and report incidents.

The consultation is available online - https://basildoncommunitysafety.commonplace.is/. Alternatively, residents can call the council on 01268 533333 to complete a copy of the survey, where staff will be on-hand to provide support over the phone.

The Community Safety team will be popping up in locations across the borough throughout September and October for residents to learn more about the consultation with support to complete it in person. Find dates and locations online - https://basildoncommunitysafety.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/community-safety-events/step1

The consultation will form a review of the Public Spaces Protection Order, which will be presented to the Cabinet later in the year. 

Cllr Melissa McGeorge, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said: "We believe in Basildon, and we want to make sure that our town centres, parks and estates are welcoming to everyone who would live, work and visit here. To do that, we need to understand how local people feel about the Public Spaces Protection Order and the deployment of the Community Safety Wardens.

 "This consultation is residents' opportunity to have their voices heard on how safe they feel when out and about, and their experience of anti-social behaviour in the borough. We want to hear from as many people as possible."

 The consultation will run for a period of six weeks, closing on 21 October 2024.