A three-year extension banning anti-social behaviour around Dagenham Heathway has been granted to Barking and Dagenham Council after receiving the support of residents.



The council’s Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which was originally introduced in the area in 2018, allows fixed penalty notices of £100 to be issued on the spot for unsociable activities such as spitting, harassment, drinking alcohol in the street or begging. Offenders can also be taken to court and given fines of up to £1,000.



The PSPO covers the area around the station and the shopping centre, down to the junction of Ripple Road and New Road, and extends to Old Dagenham Park.



The extension was granted after the council consulted with residents and found 90 per cent of respondents – out of a total of 196 – backed the continuation of the additional powers.



The consultation also highlighted that begging, drinking alcohol, and spitting were the top three issues that people encountered in the area.



Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We’re pleased residents have once again supported us to be able to take action against those individuals who commit anti-social behaviour offences in our community.



“Everyone should be able to enjoy themselves without fear of anti-social activities. PSPOs are a vital part of our toolkit in making people safer and we will use the feedback we received from residents during the consultation as a way of stepping up our enforcement.”



The PSPO extension was backed by the Met Police and is one of three PSPOs in the borough – the other two being Barking town centre and Dagenham Broad Street.



All three PSPOs prohibit the following activities:



•    Drinking alcohol in a public space 

•    Public urination 

•    Spitting

•    Begging 

•    Groups engaging in behaviour, which causes residents and other users of the  area nuisance, annoyance, harassment, alarm or distress.



The order came into effect from Friday, 3 September. For more information visit lbbd.gov.uk/public-spaces-protection-orders-pspos.