Defecation, urination and littering crackdown in new public space protection order in Spelthorne
Tents, barbecues and taxi parking will be banned to prevent anti-social behaviour in a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) by Spelthorne Council.
The enforcement seeks to crackdown on littering, property damage, defecation and urination on public land and in communities close to Heathrow Airport.
Warnings, fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of up to £1,000, and potential prosecution for offenders was agreed as part of the PSPO at a Spelthorne committee meeting held March 21.
Defecation, urination and littering by some taxi drivers and private vehicles will be prevented by excluding parking in areas in Stanwell and Stanwell Moor.
The committee heard drivers will often use the time they are waiting to clean out their vehicles, depositing litter on the verges and in the hedgerows where they have parked.
Meeting documents state: “Drivers seemingly prefer to urinate and occasionally defecate in bushes, hedgerows and on the street.”
Some drivers seem to behave as such despite toilet facilities being available in Tesco Extra on Town Lane, McDonald’s, Esso and pubs in the villages, the council states.
Stanwell residents said in response to the consultation: “We want our village back” and “Enough is enough”.
One respondent said they had challenged taxi drivers for dropping litter and felt they are “putting [their] personal safety at risk”. Others said some taxi drivers have been verbally “aggressive” towards them.
An email from a trustee of Spelthorne Litter Pickers said: “What residents have to tolerate…I could not mentally process. People weeing and pooing outside where they live? It must be horrendous.”
Heathrow Airport agreed with the council’s proposed measures for a zone in Stanwell Moor and surrounding areas where taxi drivers will not be allowed to park. Receiving regular feedback from residents, the airport was aware of the persistent anti-social behaviour issues.
A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport said: “Littering, urination and defecation are detrimental acts of harm to the local community, but they are of considerable harm to the environment and the delicate ecosystem around Stanwell Moor.”
Vehicles will be allowed to pick up or drop off a fare within the prohibited area, if the company operating the vehicle is based in, or the driver lives in, the exclusion area.
The committee gladly welcomed the PSPO, with one ward councillor stating: “For the residents to have some peace and quiet for once knowing there’s something in place with these unfortunate taxi drivers moved on.”
Banning tents or shelters is also proposed, which aims to limit littering, public urination and defecation caused by people using the tents on public land.
Meeting documents state: “The proposed PSPO seeks to protect the community from the detrimental effect on the quality of life” from those “continuing unreasonable behaviours”.
There are reports of people staying in tents on public land and using areas of parks as a toilet. Specialist cleaning companies have had to be deployed on several occasions, costing the council £1,000 per clean, the council stated.
Fires, barbecues and cooking equipment with an open flame will also be banned to prevent fires growing out of control, burning grass and damaging picnic benches.
Meeting documents stated Surrey Fire and Rescue Service attended 12 incidents involving a barbecue in April and September in 2022 and 2023.
Concerns were raised on the potential effect on the homeless if tents were banned. Officers said enforcement action will not be taken against rough sleepers in tents unless all offers of assistance have been refused, and reports of anti-social behaviour are received.
Council officers said there will be some discretion with regards to enforcement of the rules. Fairs and events will be able to continue as normal, providing it is pre-arranged and approved by the council.
Enforcement officers from the council and Surrey Police will be given further powers to deal with the highlighted issues. Coming into force in 2024, the PSPO will last for at least three years.
Around 70% of 349 respondents agreed with the proposals in a consultation held between January 2-31 this year. Surrey Police, Heathrow Airport and Staines Moor Masters were also involved in the consultation.