113 responses and 2 via comments submitted by email.
1. Are you responding as:
- A Huntingdon resident - 68
- Business owner in Huntingdon - 12
- Work in Huntingdon - 27
- Representing a voluntary/community organisation - 2
- Other - 4
2. To what extent do you agree with the proposed PSPO conditions?
- Strongly agree - 99
- Agree - 10
- Neutral - 1
- Disagree - 1
- Strongly disagree - 2
97% either strongly agree or agree.
3. If you disagree with any of the proposed PSPO conditions, please say why below:
“It's important to make sure that the prohibition on open alcohol does not limit the events of local organisations in the area (e.g. Sunset Beats and Bites) or add a prohibitive cost/administrative burden to organisers. The town can't afford to lose out on these.”
“Worried it will push people outside the ring road area to less busy places where their presence is more intimidating.”
“I live in the town centre and hardly ever experience the problems mentioned. I have no problem with people drinking and socialising in public spaces. I imagine there are already laws in place that prevent people from defecating and being abusive, so I think this is completely unnecessary.”
“It's a quick appeasing response which will only displace the issues described. Lack of public toilets in Huntingdon is a major issue. The antisocial/intimidating behaviour is mainly from a small group of people (alcoholics/drug users/mental health issues) whose issues will not go away by removing them from the town centre. Fining or actively enforcing removal of individuals from this group may even increase the hardship they already deal with by putting them in debt or acting aggressively towards the authority enforcing it, leading to possible arrests.”
“I do not disagree I just hope that a joint approach involving the council, police, mental health services, youth services, and community organisations could help address the root causes of the behaviour while maintaining public safety. Has been fully looked at It would also be worth exploring partnerships with local leisure providers or gyms to offer free or subsidised activities that provide positive alternatives and improve wellbeing. Identifying and supporting people with mental health concerns early could prevent issues from escalating and lead to better long-term outcomes for both individuals and the wider community.”
“I think the area should be extended to include Riverside Park”
“The only way to enforce this is to increase police presence, which I doubt you'll do, so I don't think this will make much of a practical difference”
“I don’t disagree with this idea; however, it has not been helpful to the town by allowing retail spaces to be used as essentially nightclubs? What was proposed originally as a restaurant in St Benedict's Court has now been given permission as a late-night venue serving alcohol (and to my knowledge, other substances). What else would you expect?”
“Within condition 4, we are concerned that people may continue to congregate in All Saints Churchyard for reasons other than attending religious services or other legitimate religious activities. Clear guidance on how this will be managed would help ensure the exemption supports genuine access to the church while maintaining the effectiveness of the PSPO.”
4. To what extent do you agree with the proposed location for the PSPO in Huntingdon?
- Strongly agree - 92
- Agree - 16
- Neutral - 1
- Disagree - 3
- Strongly disagree - 1
5. If you disagree with the proposed PSPO location, please say why below:
“I think the location is good, but I think Castle Hills and Riverside Park from the car park to the bridge should be included”
“Should probably be extended to include the Riverside and Castle Hills.”
“Should cover Godmanchester too.”
“Should be a wider area of Huntingdon. I have been subject to threatening behaviour between there and Portholme meadow.”
“I am concerned about the increasing levels of anti-social behaviour in our town. I feel that the town has become less welcoming for residents and visitors due to groups regularly congregating in public areas and engaging in behaviour that can be intimidating and disruptive. Issues such as loud shouting, drinking in public, littering, aggressive behaviour, and other forms of anti-social conduct have created an environment where many people no longer feel comfortable using the town centre. This is having a negative impact on the community, local businesses, and the town's overall reputation. I appreciate that everyone has the right to use public spaces. However, persistent anti-social behaviour should be addressed to ensure these areas remain safe and welcoming for everyone.”
“I live in the area and do not want this.”
“Oxmoor acorn oak tree centre area also should be included”
“Has to be the whole of this area. Although drinking will probably move to the riverside”
“The issue will be dispersed to outside the area, which is a larger area to monitor where there are no public toilets; it becomes more residential and could affect many more local communities.”
“Just make sure you have already understood that the fines you give out won’t be paid by many and then what. As I assume many are already in financial hardship.”
“Should include Riverside Park as well”
“I would add all parks/public meeting places under HDC control”
“It should extend to Riverside Park and open space. Otherwise it will be unusable as those demonstrating anti-social behaviour will congregate there.“
“Moving people on does not tackle the heart of the problem. Addiction and homelessness are social issues, and moving those people on could do more harm than good”
6. Overall, do you think the introduction of a PSPO will have a positive ot negative impact in Huntingdon?
- Positive impact - 103
- No impact - 2
- Negative impact - 3
- Don't know/not sure - 5
7. If you feel that the PSPO would have a negative impact, please say why below:
“It will only be a positive thing as long as those in breach are dealt with sufficiently and the anti-social behaviour doesn't just move/increase in another area like Oxmoor.”
“Who is going to monitor it, and if they break it, what are the consequences”
“it could lead to the drunk groups becoming violent drunk groups”
“Good idea in principle but where will these people go? To Castle Hills and Portholme where you are likely to encounter them when alone, making it feel more threatening than in a busy town.”
“Does not acknowledge a proportion of the fundamental causes of behaviour - homelessness/substance abuse/mental health crisis.”
“It prevents people from socialising in public spaces. I like the fact the town feels inclusive and free. This would make it feel less relaxed and welcoming of all people.”
“It won’t be negative for the area proposed, but the problem needs to be properly dealt with and not just moved to outside the ring road. A regular police presence is needed as well”
“It will displace the issues and alienate a group of Huntingdon residents further.”
“Need to tread carefully. Especially where mental health is a factor”
“It would Be nice to think that it would make a difference, but I feel it won’t be taken seriously”
“Consideration needs to be given as to where those demonstrating anti-social behaviour may move to”
“They would have a negative impact if approaching vulnerable people with disabilities and mental health who reside in apartments with a care package who sit on the front bench of Hawkins Court or smoke cigarettes at the back of Hawkins Court if they are not informed of their presence and why, with support”
“it could push people to find other places to be drunk, disorderly and dangerous. This could ruin children's play parks, local beauty spots and massively increase litter and danger to anyone who actually knows how to behave themselves and wants to enjoy the town”
“I am unsure any real changes will be met that have significant long-term impact”
“It will have a negative impact if the cost comes back to the taxpayer - people who work hard and pay their taxes are already paying a vast amount to the councils for policing etc. Make the punishments harsher for the offenders to show them that this behaviour is not accepted and will not be tolerated.”
8. Please share any other thoughts in regard to the PSPO (85 responses received):
View the responses [XLSX, 22KB] (any personal/identifiable information has been removed and replaced with ***).
Frequently asked questions
Enforcement - will there be greater Police presence, and how will it be enforced?
The PSPO will be jointly enforced between Huntingdonshire District Council and Cambridgeshire Police. Police will continue to patrol the town centre to identify breaches and support Huntingdonshire District Council with taking enforcement action.
Concerns of bikes/scooters being used in the town centre
This PSPO will not cover the use of bikes, scooters or e-scooters in the town centre. A ban against using these is currently in place and is enforced by Police where resources allow.
Concerns the issue will move elsewhere
The Head of Communities and Operational Housing has the delegated power and authorisation to extend a PSPO location where there is sufficient evidence to suggest that issues have migrated outside the PSPO area, into a new location. This will be reviewed where required, and action will be taken to address this. This must be proportionate to the level of resources available to enforce this PSPO, which will be considered.
What other support will be offered to individuals?
Through the use of a town centre group, relevant colleagues such as HDC, Police, CGL, Probation and Housing associations will attend to discuss any further intervention for those who are identified in need of support and to ensure this reaches them.
Concerns around drug use or suspected drug dealing
Drug-related activity is not covered by this PSPO because this constitutes a crime, and therefore any suspected incidents should be reported to Cambridgeshire Police via 999 or 101.