Response 1076709

Response to request for information

Reference

1076709

Response date

31 March 2023

Request

1. How many FPNS have been issued against homeless people in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023? If available, please break this down by year and restriction.

2. Do you record data about how warnings and breaches of the PSPO are broken down into the protected characteristics covered by the Equality Impact Assessments (EIA)? If so, please supply this data.

3. Please either attach copies of your current PSPOs or confirm that those on the PSPO section of your council website are up to date. 

4. Were the street homeless community involved in consultations for PSPOs that might affect them – for example, those that restrict begging, obstruction of premises, public urination and defecation? 

5. Do you have any specific guidelines or training for officers enforcing PSPOs that impact the homeless community - such as on mental health or signposting to services? 

6. Are any measures in place to prevent PSPOs from having a disproportionate impact on the homeless community? 

7. What steps does the council take to monitor PSPOs to ensure that the recommendations of the EIA are being followed? 

8. Is there a process in place for handling complaints following warnings and breaches of the PSPO? If so, please send over any documentation outlining this process. 

9. Do any of your PSPOs include dispersal powers? 

10. Please provide the number of warnings issued for Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. If this data is available, please provide a breakdown of these warnings by restriction.

Response

1. How many FPNS have been issued against homeless people in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023? If available, please break this down by year and restriction. Nil

2. Do you record data about how warnings and breaches of the PSPO are broken down into the protected characteristics covered by the Equality Impact Assessments (EIA)? If so, please supply this data. No

3. Please either attach copies of your current PSPOs or confirm that those on the PSPO section of your council website are up to date. Those are accurate and correct they are at on the PSPO webpage

4. Were the street homeless community involved in consultations for PSPOs that might affect them – for example, those that restrict begging, obstruction of premises, public urination and defecation? A public consultation took place as required, which included police, support charities, notices, online(website) and other publications. Comments were able to made by members of the public.

5. Do you have any specific guidelines or training for officers enforcing PSPOs that impact the homeless community - such as on mental health or signposting to services? Street outreach undertake weekly visits to known areas and reports of homelessness and will provide such signposting and assistance. These outreach workers are from Framework a dedicated agency to help homeless. The PSPO enables a range of officers to issue fixed penalty notices, this primarily is the police who are considered competent and trained in their role. The Council may use other officers from time to time who will signpost to local charities or to Framework if appropriate.

6. Are any measures in place to prevent PSPOs from having a disproportionate impact on the homeless community? The PSPO powers are available to be used in circumstances where there is alarm harassment or distress or annoyance to those in the area regardless as to whether the person has a home. The use of these power is to protect the public and the locality. As such they are only to be used where this is demonstrated by the officer.

7. What steps does the council take to monitor PSPOs to ensure that the recommendations of the EIA are being followed? Please send over any documentation outlining this process. The powers have been rarely used by the council, but do allow for the focus of police and other agencies to manage and review the potential breaches of the PSPO in the area or offer and provide support. There was no identified major or adverse impact in the EIA to monitor. 

8. Is there a process in place for handling complaints following warnings and breaches of the PSPO? If so, please send over any documentation outlining this process. Complaints can be made to the council in the normal way on our website or at customer services. Or if action is taken by the police this would be to the police. All complaints to the council are reviewed and responded to by the complaints officer.

9. Do any of your PSPOs include dispersal powers? Yes in the 2022 current PSPO.

10. Please provide the number of warnings issued for Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. If this data is available, please provide a breakdown of these warnings by restriction.

Nil recorded in this period by the council.