Powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and street drinking will be extended over a wider area after almost 1,000 people signed a petition.
Waltham Forest Council's cabinet is due to approve extending a public space protection order (PSPO) to cover Chingford and Highams Park from November 1.
The order gives police and council officers more powers to enforce the restrictions, like the consumption of alcohol in public.
The Labour-run council had previously implemented a PSPO south of the borough but said there was not enough evidence for one in Chingford or Highams Park.
But councillors Selina Seesunkur and Cllr Jemma Hemsted organised and submitted a petition of more than 900 signatures to the council on July 27, saying the area was at "breaking point".
Public concern also prompted an online consultation by the council, which received 415 responses, and 92 per cent of residents in favour of the order.
Cllr Jemma Hemsted (Con, Valley Ward) said: “Having repeatedly chased the council for an update, I was delighted when I heard the council were finally listening and tackling a problem which is very apparent to us, and has been for some time. I just hope cabinet follow through with the PSPO and put an end to anti-social behaviour in our area once and for all.”
In a year long campaign, the councillors encouraged residents to write to them, and reported a significant increase in abuse especially on the high street and local parks, and a report that a well – loved street cleaner had been attacked while on duty.
Cllr Selina Seesunkur (Con, Larkswood Ward) said: “While it is a shame that the council omitted Chingford from the original PSPO, I am really pleased our petitioning and chasing has paid off. I look forward to the decision being approved at cabinet, and I hope this goes a long way in making our residents feel safer using the high street and our public spaces, like Memorial Park. We thank all our residents who supported the cause, we could not have achieved this without you.”
A Facebook post by London Borough of Waltham Forest on September 17 said: “Subject to agreement from cabinet, we will be implementing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to stop anti – social behaviour in Chingford & Higham’s Park. This will mean greater powers for ASB and police officers to tackle: street drinking, spitting and littering.”
Cllr Ahsan Khan, cabinet member for community safety will recommend that the order is introduced from November 1 at a meeting of the council's cabinet on October 10.
Cllr Khan said: "Residents living in Chingford and Highams Park have a fundamental right to go about their day-to-day lives unaffected by anti-social behaviour – be it street drinking, public urination, or littering. I want communities in these wards to know that they have our full support dealing with these issues. This PSPO is an important step as it gives us the statutory powers we need to respond effectively to resident’s concerns.”
PSPOs are used to tackle issues such as street drinking, drug taking, aggressive begging, and use of threatening language or behaviour. In PSPO areas police officers, police community support officers, council officers can enforce the restrictions and may issue fixed penalty notices of a £100, or a fine of up to £1,000 if prosecuted.
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