By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A consultation on shutting off eight Ashfield alleyways dubbed “catalysts for crime and anti-social behaviour” will be launched later this month.
Ashfield District Council has approved the consultation as it looks to launch a new public spaces protection order (PSPO) in various parts of Sutton, Kirkby and Hucknall.
A PSPO is a legal tool used by councils to clamp down on crime and anti-social behaviour, with a separate order in place across the district targeting nuisances like public drinking and dog fouling.
The new order will target four hotspot alleyways in the New Cross area of Sutton, three alleyways in Kirkby’s Coxmoor Estate and a further one public route in Hucknall.
The four Sutton routes includes a service road behind Outram Street – connecting Downing Street to North Street – known locally as ‘mucky alley’,
This route has already had CCTV installed after being described by councillors as a “drive-thru for fly-tippers”.
The order also includes two public rights of way connecting Bramley Court with Bentinck Street and Sutton Lawn, as well as the passage between Welbeck Street and Portland Close.
Councillor Samantha Deakin (Ash Ind), the council’s portfolio holder for parks, town centres and environmental services, also represents the Sutton Central and New Cross ward.
Speaking during the council’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday (November 8) as councillors approved the consultation, she said: “It’s been a long time coming, some of these areas have been problems for years.
“I’m really pleased we’re able to appease some of this for residents.
“It’s brilliant and shows a clear message we won’t tolerate the anti-social behaviour, the levels of drugs and alcohol and everything else that happens in these alleyways to make life difficult for residents.”
The three Kirkby alleyways include land next to 40 Rosewood Drive and the two alleys connecting Spruce Grove to Poplar Avenue and Beacon Drive.
The remaining alleyway is behind 34-37 Rockwood Walk in Hucknall.
Plans for the PSPO came after concerns were raised about general anti-social behaviour in the alleyways, with some described as “hotspots” for crime.
Other concerns included littering and fly-tipping, off-road motorbikes and ‘nuisance vehicles’ using them, large groups congregating and residents reporting “feelings of being unsafe”.
Antonio Taylor, the council’s community safety manager has helped bring the PSPO plans forward and says the alleyways are also impacting council and police budgets.
He told the meeting: “The eight areas we’re looking to restrict public access to are catalysts for crime and anti-social behaviour across the district.
“It has been having a detrimental impact upon local residents but, equally, it’s been having an impact on resources for both the council and police as well.
“It has been demand-intensive for officers going out to repeat calls in those localities.
“This is a way of improving and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in those areas but also freeing up demand and capacity for other officers to concentrate on other proactive pieces of work throughout the district.”
Cabinet members approved the five-week consultation, which will run from next week until mid-December.
The council is due to publicise the consultation on its website while local consultation events will also be held.
The results will be presented to cabinet members again in January for sign-off before final approval for the PSPO is expected to be requested from the full council.
The authority expects the eight areas could be closed off and gated by about February, permitting there is public and political support for the new PSPO.
