Plans for new order combating crime and antisocial behaviour in Llanelli
There are plans to add drug-related crime to a new order which would also cover a greater area of the town
An order to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in parts of Llanelli is being replaced by a new one that will include more areas of the town, as well as giving police greater powers to deal with drug-related disturbances.
Three years ago Carmarthenshire Council launched a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Tyisha, Glanymor and Elli wards to deal with alcohol-related nuisance and disorder.
In these wards, which are some of the most deprived parts of Llanelli, street drinkers can be fined up to £500 or even arrested if they fail to comply with police or refuse to hand over alcohol.
Now steps are being taken for a new order to replace the existing order, which will widen the scope to include North Dock and the beach, and also tackle drug-related nuisance and disorder, with additional powers for police.
This includes being able to ask individuals to hand over drug paraphernalia and disperse from an area if they are thought to be causing antisocial behaviour.
A public consultation is under way for residents, businesses and organisations on the proposal, which runs until May 31.
Like the current order, the new PSPO would be in force for the next three years from the end of September, but will not apply to licensed premises such as pubs and clubs.
The consultation states: "Carmarthenshire Council believes that the PSPO has been effective in reducing alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
"The council is proposing to introduce a new order for a further period of three years which, in addition to the current powers dealing with alcohol-related nuisance and disorder, will also give the police additional powers to reduce alcohol and drug-related anti-social behaviour caused by controlled drugs or psychoactive substances.
"These powers will enable the police to require individuals to surrender drug paraphernalia and to disperse from an area if a person is loitering if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causing or are likely to cause anti-social behaviour."
Llanelli Town Council is among the bodies being consulted on over the new order boundaries and extra policing powers, and actually called for the wider reaching measure.
Deputy leader of the town council and Tyisha ward councillor, Cllr Andre McPherson said: "The town council called for the PSPO to be made over a larger area and to include drug-related issues.
"However, that must not be done with a heavy hand, it has got to be done with a cohesive approach, working with the community, not against it."
Carmarthenshire Council cabinet member for organisation and workforce, Cllr Philip Hughes, who has responsibility for community safety, said: "A review of the current PSPO has taken place as it is due to end on September 30.
"This has been informed by initial discussions with key stakeholders including the police and community representatives, in relation to the antisocial behaviour issues in the locality, and an analysis of the evidence of alcohol and drug-related behaviour.
"As a result, the draft order includes changes which have been made to the area covered and to the powers it gives, with the aim of tackling the anti-social behaviour issues identified.
"The proposed boundary of the order has been extended to include a number of areas and extra powers are included within the draft order relating to the dispersal of individuals and confiscation of drug paraphernalia, in addition to the current power to confiscate alcohol.
"A new order will be required to be made – this is not an extension, due to the changes made to the current order."
When the original PSPO order was made by the county council in September 2020, Dyfed-Powys Police welcomed it and said it was a valuable tool in tackling antisocial behaviour and other problems caused by public use of alcohol in the Llanelli area.
The force added that the use of a PSPO is a much quicker and more effective way for the police to deal with alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour and supports the force's efforts in making the community of Llanelli a safe place for everyone.
The consultation into the order can found here.
