Hedgerow maintenance reveals dog walkers shameful habit

I’m a regular walker along the heathland tracks in Brentmoor Heath and by Bisley and Pirbright Ranges. The hedgerow alongside the Bisley and Pirbright Ranges from Lightwater to Deepcut is actively managed to maintain a firebreak from a fire on the ranges to adjacent housing, especially on the Maultway.

The most recent hedgerow pruning has revealed unattractive and antisocial habits of dog walkers; that of collecting dog poo in small plastic bags, and then depositing those bags in the hedgerow.

Here’s a photo – I have more if that’s wanted, which I suspect is not – of what I saw a few days ago. It wasn’t just these two cases, as I counted a couple of dozen such dog poo bags.

Surrey Heath introduces Public Space Protection Order

Surrey Heath Borough Council has announced the introduction of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) – See HERE for Maps of the spaces covered.

Following public consultation, Surrey Heath Borough Council has implemented a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which will allow additional powers to address anti-social activities in the Borough’s parks and public spaces.

The PSPO came into force on 14 October 2017, and will help address a range of low level anti-social behaviour which is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of local people.

As a result of changes in national legislation, the Council held a consultation on proposals for new Public Spaces Protection Orders in late 2016, and again earlier this year.

The consultation looked at actions and behaviours such as begging in Camberley, the taking of psychoactive substances (formerly legal highs) and their impact upon health and behaviour, anti-social behaviour that can be caused through public drinking, and measures to encourage responsible dog ownership which include exclusions from children’s play areas and clearing up dog waste.

Councillor Vivienne Chapman, Portfolio Holder for Community said: “Surrey Heath is already a safe and environmentally friendly Borough, and we want to make it even safer.

“The introduction of Public Space Protection Orders is about improving the quality of life for people who live, work and visit Surrey Heath.

“It enables the Council and Police to discourage anti-social behaviour, and where necessary take appropriate action against people who continue to behave in an anti-social way.”

For more information on the PSPO, including maps of where it applies, visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/pspo

Police Notice: Traveller incursions and the Police

Message from David Howie (Surrey Police, Community Engagement Volunteer, Surrey Heath)

Following a recent incursion by travellers at the Arena Leisure Centre and subsequently at the London Road Recreation Ground (both sites owned by Surrey Heath Borough Council), it is opportune for a summary to be provided to help the public understand the powers that the police have in such circumstances.

Trespass
Trespasses, unauthorised incursions and encampments on both publicly and privately owned land are a problem.  Community tensions can result and there is frequently a resultant cost to the public or private purse.  Sites of such incidents rarely provide adequate facilities and as such provide poor living conditions and are frequently a substantial concern and inconvenience to the owners and usual users of such land.

It is important to understand that the law confers legal rights on Gypsies and the Travelling Community with Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers being recognised ethnic groups for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010.  Legislation and nationally mandated practise also places responsibilities on Councils with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights underpinning the right to respect for a private and family life.  It is necessary to balance the Human Rights of the travellers against the needs of the wider community.  As a result, when managing such incidents on Council land, officials are obliged to establish the welfare situation of the encampment and to take appropriate steps before proceeding with any enforcement action. Every encampment and incursion is therefore dealt with on a case by case basis and careful consideration is given to whether enforcement action is justified, necessary and proportionate.

It needs to be emphasised that the act of trespass itself is not a criminal offence – it is a civil one.  This means that the police are unable to take immediate enforcement action if trespass occurs or make the Travellers move on if no criminal offence has been committed.  Except in the circumstances indicated below, it is the responsibility of the landowner to obtain a ‘direction to leave’ order from a magistrates’ court which can then be served on the trespassers.  They will then have a specified period of time to move off before they are committing an offence.  In the case of the incursion at the Arena Leisure Centre, the Council applied for a court order and served it successfully but the travellers merely moved to the neighbouring London Road Recreation Ground.

Council PSPO consultation at Lightwater Country Park Cafe on Saturday 7th Jan

Surrey Heath Borough Council remind residents that time is running out to give your views on Public Spaces Protection Order consultation.

The deadline is approaching for public submissions from Surrey Heath residents to have their say on proposals to help address anti-social behaviour in public places around the borough.

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) were created by the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, to regulate activities in public that have a detrimental effect on the local community.

The council is considering introducing a PSPO to help address nuisances or problems in local public places. A PSPO would assist in taking steps to improve issues such as alcohol and substance misuse, begging and irresponsible dog ownership.

There’s a range of ways to express your views before the consultation closes on 17 January 2017.

More information, including an online questionnaire, map and a list of the proposed areas for restrictions, is available at: www.surreyheath.gov.uk/PSPO

If you wish to receive a paper copy of the questionnaire to complete, please call the council to request this on 01276 707100 or email pspoconsultation@surreyheath.gov.uk

Or you can come along to one of our drop-in events below:

•  Lightwater Country Park Café – Saturday 7 January, 11am-1.30pm  

• Frimley Lodge Café, Frimley Lodge Park – Saturday 14 January, 11am-1.30pm

The survey responses will be analysed and be used to inform the council’s decision about how the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order is progressed. All answers will be kept confidential.

Surrey Heath Community Portfolio Holder Cllr Vivienne Chapman said: “This PSPO Consultation is a great opportunity for members of the public to have their say on important issues and I would encourage people to take part, whether online, by post, or in person at one of the drop in events.”

The council’s Executive will make the final decision about the Public Space Protection Order on a date to be confirmed, with the details of the meeting and subsequent decisions to be published on www.surreyheath.gov.uk