Salford Quays has a new public spaces protection order (PSPO). In place for three years, it gives police and enforcement officers the power to hand out £100 fixed penalty notices for offences notably jumping from bridges – which the local council has repeatedly warned is dangerous and puts lives at risk – and unauthorised swimming, both of which residents have complained about.
Salford City Council has already announced it is to spend £33,000 replacing lifebuoys with locked, code access only throw-lines to prevent vandalism.
Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said: “Thousands of people have chosen to make Salford Quays their home and visitors flock to the area because it is a safe and family-friendly area and has a wealth of activities and facilities to enjoy. We don’t want a small minority to spoil it with anti-social behaviour which is why we have brought in new legal powers and extra CCTV cameras. Council and police patrols will work with the public to educate them about responsible behaviour and the new powers but can now issue £100 fixed penalty notices to anyone caught in breach of the order. If people refuse to pay they will be taken to court and could face up to £1,000 in fines. Anti-social behaviour often goes along with gangs of teenagers jumping from bridges risking injury and crashing about in the water creating a nuisance for residents. The order gives us new powers to take action against that.”
Picture by Mark Rowe; PSPO sign, Ealing, west London.
