Attacks prompt order to bring greater control on dogs in district

The council is seeking to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order to prohibit certain anti-social activities within the district.

A spokesman for HDC said it had been working through the Community Safety Partnership and identified ‘specific ongoing unreasonable’ activities that have or were likely to have a harmful effect on people living, working or visiting the town.

Activities which would be banned under the order include anti-social consumption of alcohol in public spaces, parkour or free-running in the town centre and anti-social use of vehicles.

The order would also give residents greater controls on dogs in the district, where currently there are no restrictions.

The council said due recent incidents where livestock had been attacked a condition will be included whereby dog owners must put their dogs on a lead if asked to do so by a member of the public in a public space.

The full list of activities which would be prohibited under the order include:

- Anti-social consumption of alcohol in public spaces across the district

- Parkour or free-running in Horsham town centre which can cause substantial damage to property

- Anti-social use of vehicles across the district where individuals meet in public places, play loud music, race and cause harassment to residents and other road users

- Anti-social use of horse drawn vehicles across the district; racing and time trials which block dual carriageways presenting significant danger to other road users

- Dog fouling across the district on any land open to the air to which the public has access

- Control of dogs across the district; there are currently no restrictions to control dogs within Horsham district creating incidents where livestock are attacked. A condition will be included in the Order whereby the dog owner must put their dog on a lead if asked to do so by a relevant person in a public space.

A public consultation is taking place from May 16 to June 13 on the council’s website where residents can have their say on the proposals.

The recommendation will be put before the council on June 29.

Cabinet member for community and wellbeing Kate Rowbottom said: “I really welcome the proposals to introduce this Public Space Order.

“Anti-social behaviour can have a detrimental impact on people’s quality of life, not to mention the negative perception it can give to an area.

“These orders are designed to regulate activities in particular public places and help authorities like ours to deal with persistent anti-social behaviour in areas where concerns have been highlighted.

“We are keen to know what people think of the plans and would encourage as many of you as possible to give us your feedback as part of the consultation.”

To view and comment on the proposals visit www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=146419326831

The council is able to bring forward the order under Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The orders give councils and police additional powers and greater flexibility to tackle anti-social behaviour in defined geographical areas.

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