City-wide PSPO to tackle anti-social drivers

New powers to tackle vehicle related anti-social behaviour across the city come into force this week following a survey conducted by the council which saw Leeds residents identify road safety, dangerous driving and speeding as problems in their local areas.

The city-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is aimed at prohibiting dangerous driving and vehicle nuisance in public areas and communities across Leeds and is being introduced from Monday (3 July 2023), marking the start of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.

The PSPO is the first of its kind for Leeds and will prohibit vehicle owners from revving car engines, playing music at very high volumes, parking inconsiderately, littering from a vehicle and using intimidating language or behaviour when behind the wheel.

People will be prohibited from engaging in and promoting activities which are likely to cause a danger to the public, which includes ‘car cruising’ events. Where a motor vehicle is used in a careless, inconsiderate manner or is ridden off road causing or likely to cause alarm, distress, or annoyance to any member of the public, police will have powers to stop the rider or driver under the new rules. If following a warning, the person continues to offend, police can seize or remove the vehicle.

A full copy of the PSPO can be found at: www.leeds.gov.uk/antisocial-behaviour-and-crime/public-spaces-protection-orders/vehicular-nuisance-pspo

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for resources with responsibility for Safer Leeds, said:

“As a council, we fully recognise the impact that vehicle related nuisance, dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour has on our communities. No one should have to put up with behaviour of this kind and tackling it is a key priority, Leeds residents need to feel safe and know that they are safe. Having this PSPO in place is a huge step forward and will ensure that the police and council have the powers needed to seize the vehicles of anyone committing these types of behaviours and by doing so, improve the lives of residents that they are having an impact on. We encourage anyone who sees this kind of anti-social behaviour to report it to the police via 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

Inspector Kevin Lowther, who heads the Leeds North West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said,

“We continue to work closely alongside our partner agencies to tackle the crime and anti-social behaviour issues that impact the most on the lives of people in our communities.

“We remain firmly committed to doing everything we can to take action against those responsible, and these additional powers under the PSPO will give extra support to that aim.”

It comes just days after the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, secured million-pound funding for a new pilot to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the region.

Mayor Brabin, said:

“Anti-social behaviour can plague communities so we must ensure that people feel protected from it. We’re determined to make West Yorkshire a safer, fairer place, and we’ll tackle the issues that really matter to people.

“I want people to tell us about their experiences and how they would like to see those responsible make amends.”

To feedback your experiences of ASB and how you would like to see those responsible make amends visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/asb.

This post is based on a press release issued by Leeds City Council

Photo: a car cruising meet on Lowfield Road

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