00:00Birmingham City Council is looking to tighten control over street activity in the city centre,
00:07responding to concerns over safety, disruption and intimidation. A Public Spice Protection
00:13Order, or PSPO, has been proposed to limit a range of behaviours considered antisocial.
00:19If approved, it would apply to streets like New Street, Victoria Square, Temple Street
00:24and part of Edgbaston Street. The council says people are being approached too often,
00:29sometimes aggressively, by those selling goods, collecting donations or handing out
00:33promotional material. Under the proposed rules, anyone looking to trade, peddle or hand out
00:39samples for commercial gain in these zones would need written permission from the council.
00:44This includes digital or cash donations for subscriptions or services. Charities, religious
00:50groups and political campaigners would still be allowed to operate, but only if they're
00:54not obstructing others or causing disruption. Reports submitted to the council include incidents
01:00where officers have faced verbal abuse and threats from individuals linked to illegal
01:05street traders. One female officer reportedly had to seek police support after being threatened
01:11while trying to identify a trader operating without a licence. The Retail Business Improvement
01:17District says it's heard repeated complaints about people selling perfume from bags and
01:22pressuring passers-by. Officials say the current situation not only puts off visitors
01:27but also harms legitimate businesses and creates a hostile atmosphere in key shopping centres.
01:33The proposed order would last for three years. A public consultation is now underway and
01:38runs until the end of April.
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