People in Calderdale can have their say on a proposed new legal tool to limit the anti-social use of vehicles across the borough.
Calderdale Council has a Community Protection Team dedicated to improving quality of life for residents and visitors. It has a number of Public Space Protection Orders(external link) (PSPOs) which give legal powers to prohibit certain behaviour or activity in public areas.
The Council has listened to local people’s concerns about vehicles being used in an anti-social or intimidating way. As part of its commitment to keeping Calderdale a great place to live and visit, and with support from Calderdale Community Safety Partnership(external link), it is proposing a new PSPO to address a range of anti-social behaviours / activities involving vehicles:
- Excessive noise from vehicles.
- Danger caused to other road users or members of the public using the highway or open spaces such as parks.
- Damage to private property.
- Congregating or loitering in a manner that causes or is likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress, or a detrimental impact on quality of life.
- Verbal harassment from vehicles, including unacceptable behaviour towards women and girls who use the highway and open spaces for exercise and leisure: JogOn Initiative.(external link)
The proposed PSPO would apply across the whole of Calderdale on any land that the public can access. It would allow the Council and the Police to issue fines to people who breach the order due to their behaviour and conduct, or even prosecute the worst offenders.
The Council is asking people for their views on the proposed PSPO as part of a public consultation that runs until Sunday 15 June 2025.
The draft order can be found at https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/communities/crime-prevention/proposed-pspo-anti-social-use-vehicles(external link) and comments can be sent to community-safety@calderdale.gov.uk
Following the consultation, the proposed PSPO will be considered by Councillors at the next Cabinet meeting on Monday 30 June 2025.
Cllr Danielle Durrans, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said:
“We take people’s concerns very seriously, and are proposing to take this strong action as part of our ongoing response to anti-social behaviour, road safety, Vision Zero(external link) and the safety of women and girls.
“We know the harmful impact that anti-social behaviour has on communities and businesses across Calderdale. We want our towns and places to thrive, and we believe that responding to this persistent problem through a new legal tool would help make Calderdale a safer and more pleasant place for everyone.”