A Welsh seaside town notorious for anti-social behaviour is set for a major new crackdown on crime as dispersal orders are implemented.
Rhyl in Denbighshire has been nicknamed “Costa del Dole” as a reflection of its downfall over the past 50 years. A damning review named it as the UK’s worst seaside town in 2023, citing it as having “no past, no arts or entertainment, and no fun”.
On April 4, 2024, a three-year Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will come into effect in Rhyl town centre in an attempt to combat crime.
The measure will give North Wales Police an “additional tool” when deal with people drinking alcohol or behaving anti-socially on Rhyl’s town centre streets. It’s the third PSPO slapped on the area since 2016.
Police figures in the year to May 2022 showed Rhyl High Street had more anti-social complaints than any other road in North Wales, reports NorthWalesLive.
Residents in parts of the town complained their lives had been made “hell” by youths smashing windows, climbing on cars and fighting in streets.
Work has been done already to tackle the issues, with help for the homeless and the provision of alcohol services. Since the first PSPO was introduced in 2016, Denbighshire Council said anti-social behaviour had fallen by around a quarter. Despite this, the local authority said offences in the town centre remain higher than other areas of Rhyl.
Six road areas have been included in the PSPO (see below). From April 4, it will be illegal to have an open container of alcohol on these streets, even if empty. Anyone carrying an unopened can or bottle of alcohol could also be stopped and fined if it’s suspected this will be drunk in the banned area.
Police can ask individuals, or groups, to disperse if they are suspected of causing, or likely to cause, “nuisance, alarm, harassment or distress”. Any caught behaving anti-socially must not return to the PSPO area for up to 48 hours.
People will be prohibited from “loitering” in shop doorways if likely to cause a nuisance. For those affected by drink or drugs, the loitering ban applies anywhere in the PSPO area.
Denbighshire Council said a public consultation on the proposed PSPO produced “overwhelming support” for the measure. Cllr Rhys Thomas, lead member for housing and communities, said: “I am pleased to see that North Wales Police are being granted additional powers to help them combat street drinking and anti-social behaviour in Rhyl town centre.
“Anti-social behaviour is an important issue that needs to be addressed in the area. Although in decline, the implementation of this new PSPO is a key step towards helping the police further reduce the problem.”
People who fail to comply with PSPO could be taken to court and fined. Police officers will also have powers to issue fixed penalty notices. If these are paid within 14 days, offenders will not be prosecuted. Until 2027, the new PSPO will apply to the following areas.
