Exasperated Devon traders hit with new setback

Powers designed to deal with troublemakers won't be introduced

Ongoing antisocial behaviour in Tiverton's town centre has not been deemed problematic enough to enforce powers designed to deal with troublemakers.

Issues, particularly around Bampton Street, were discussed at Tiverton’s town council meeting on September 23.

Despite repeated calls from business owners for stronger action, Mid Devon District Council council ultimately decided that a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was not necessary at this time—a decision that has left traders feeling abandoned.

The town clerk held a previous meeting in August and the mayor Councillor Neal Davey reported back on this to town council members at the September session.

The meeting included a review of input from both the police and Mid Devon District Council. Officials believe the issue of antisocial behaviour is transitional and does not warrant the implementation of a PSPO - powers which are intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a particular area and move troublemakers on.

Cllr Davey explained: “The town clerk had a meeting with the police on August 20, and officers of Mid Devon District Council were present. This was to consider the problems of antisocial behaviour within the town centre and, in particular, Bampton Street. The conclusion was that the PSPO is not needed at this current time.”

The justification for this decision, according to the Mid Devon District officer, lies in the belief that the issues are temporary and involve only a small group of people. The procedure for securing a PSPO was described as "long and lengthy" and requiring extensive public consultation.

Cllr Davey added: “The police recognised that Bampton Street had received an amount of antisocial behaviour which had impacted local businesses,” he said. “But they stressed that it was transient and could be resolved without the need for a PSPO.”

Councillor Sophia Beard expressed her frustration at the decision, saying it would be disappointing news for the town’s business owners.

“It will be extremely disappointing to take this news back to the community who have been actively engaging in the process,” Cllr Beard said. “There are difficulties in getting these issues reported, and it would be very helpful if we could have further support for the town businesses in getting the reporting action smoother.”

Cllr Beard went on to explain that the current reporting mechanisms advised by authorities are simply not practical for many traders, who have been grappling with incidents of drunkenness and antisocial behaviour over the summer.

She added: “Going back to the town traders and telling them that it has been looked at and deemed unnecessary is not going to go down very well at all.”

Councillor Lance Kennedy also highlighted the importance of reporting incidents, drawing from a nearby town’s experience where a lack of reports led to the loss of their local police station.

“Statistics are everything. If you're going to make a complaint, it doesn't matter if they don’t come. The statistic is recorded and that's all they will look at these days,” Cllr Kennedy said.

Cllr Davey urged the community to report even minor incidents, as the data collected would help authorities understand the scope of the problem.

“I think in terms of that point about reporting crime, I would emphasise that that is important. If you can report them online, it is worth doing so because the details do get recorded, and it will build a picture of statistics.”