New Public Space Protection Order for Rochdale town centre

Photo: Journeaux

Rochdale town centre

A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering Rochdale town centre is set to come into force after councillors agreed to introduce the measure, which is intended to help create a welcoming environment for shoppers, visitors and businesses.

The PSPO will give the council (supported by police) new powers to tackle specific issues.

• Control of commercial or charity collection or soliciting of money in the street
• Consumption of alcohol in the street
• Driving/using a car in an antisocial manner
• Obstructing the highway or loitering
• Antisocial parking
• Use of skateboards, bicycles and scooters (not mobility scooters) in certain areas
• Begging on the street 

Councillor Neil Emmott, the council’s cabinet member for housing and environment, said: “We are committed to creating a town centre residents can be proud of, somewhere welcoming that they want to visit, spend time in and shop comfortably. Whilst within the town centre, the experience can often be ruined by a small number of people adopting anti-social or thoughtless behaviour.”