00:00In Liverpool City Centre, public spaces protection orders have come into force aiming at tackling
00:06antisocial behaviour involving groups of youths and young adults.
00:10It follows what Liverpool's City Council describes as a steady increase in reports of crime
00:16and antisocial behaviour linked to gatherings, which it says has contributed to fear and concern
00:22amongst the wider public, including other young people.
00:25It gives police, community support officers and council-authorised officers the power to issue fixed penalty notices
00:32to those breaching the rules following authorisation by the council.
00:36But how safe do you feel on the streets of the city?
00:40I feel very safe, yeah. People sometimes have apprehensions about coming into the city centre,
00:45but you're more at risk where somewhere is quieter and secluded rather than you are,
00:51because where there's people around, there's usually safety. So, to be honest, I never feel any apprehensions at all.
00:57Generally, I just feel safe. I don't feel really stressed about my belongings either.
01:02I was recently in London and, you know, it was always, where's my phone? Is my bag closed?
01:06Whereas I never get that feeling in Liverpool.
01:08And also because the people are so, so very friendly.
01:12If ever anyone was in need, there'd always be someone there to help them.
01:16We're in seconds, you know, so it's great.
01:17Being at university as a student, you know, I'm away from home and, you know, it's a totally different environment.
01:23And I think that was a concern before I got to Liverpool.
01:25It's like, oh my gosh, you know, the nightlife, what's it going to be like in a city for the
01:28first time?
01:29I'm on my own. I'm a young woman as well.
01:31And I think it's nice to be able to say that I feel safe in the city.
01:35For under-18s, officers may take them home, issue a dispersal notice in the presence of a parent or carer
01:41and explain the reasons for the action.
01:44Liverpool City Council says a warning letter will usually be issued first with youth services informed to offer support.
01:51A second breach of the order is likely to result in a fixed penalty notice being issued.
01:56But is a fine the right way to tackle this issue?
02:00I don't think that's going to work. I honestly don't.
02:03Honestly, I don't know what the answer is.
02:06But not fine, not when you can't afford to live the time.
02:09I think sometimes sort of a financial penalty isn't always the best way
02:15because I think if you're from a background which has sort of, you don't have a lot of finances
02:20then that just becomes a further stress and that could put further stress on a family's income, people at home
02:25and then that can almost contribute to the situation of somebody potentially re-offending.
02:30Officials say the aim is to balance enforcement with early intervention
02:33with support offered through council youth services where appropriate.
02:37This Public Spaces Protection Order, or PSPO, will run for three years
02:42and Liverpool City Council says it will continue to monitor its impact
02:45alongside police partners and community feedback.
02:48The council says the order is intended to address behaviour causing concern in the city centre
02:53whilst maintaining a safe environment for residents, businesses and visitors.
02:57Police say the order is dire, political justice.
02:57Police say the law is intended to deal with the party over the country.
02:57Police say the law has been around as женщin for any of her公公共
02:58police councillors as a result of civil mode. The law is not an
02:58force of civil resources as the law of the police actions, the police say the law
02:58will remain an effort to do with an interest. This motion is to be
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