Details of appalling antisocial behaviour emerge at Pangbourne Meadows as consultation on Public Service Protection Order is launched

A list of antisocial behaviour incidents at Pangbourne Meadows has been published by West Berkshire Council, as it launches a consultation into tightening up restrictions in the area.

In one such incident, a canoeing lesson for 10-year-olds was cancelled because a group of individuals were throwing bottles and live fish at them.

Another was where a group of youths were assaulting a goose, having caught the goose by its neck with a rope, and taking the goslings away from the parents and taunting them.

And another, at Pangbourne Bowls and Tennis Club, saw a group of young males regularly cycling on the tennis courts, leaving skid marks.

When asked to leave, members of the public have been verbally abused and they threatened to lock players on the tennis court.

Police and the council want to clamp down on off-road bikes there, after reporting a litany of bad behaviour in the area.

Thames Valley Police compiled a ‘Report of Incidents’ from January 2024 to August 31, 2024, which highlights the main issues to be off-road bikes driving on the meadow and large groups congregating and acting antisocially.

There are numerous reports of vandalism and theft from the groups, and when challenged they have become abusive and/or assaulted the person challenging them.

This supports the reasoning for the restrictions on antisocial behaviour and off-road bikes.

Most occurrences took place between noon and 9pm. Most offences took place Thursday to Sunday.

The largest crime type was community antisocial behaviour, followed by criminal damage.

However, some of the criminal damage reports indicate that the damage is occurring regularly, for example damage to the public toilets and tennis courts.

There is also a safeguarding aspect in relation to the young people involved who are becoming intoxicated and then jumping into the river or riding dirt bikes.

This is an area where families and children often congregate and these incidents are having an impact and police cite an incident when dirt bikes were riding around the meadows while a Scout fete was on.

“We’d like the views of our local residents, businesses, agencies, and visitors to Pangbourne Meadows in relation to the proposed restrictions to be included in the Public Service Protection Order (PSPO) and the proposed restricted area to be covered by the PSPO,” said the council.

What is a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)?

PSPOs were introduced in October 2014 as part of the AntiSocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

They allow councils to place restrictions and requirements on certain behaviours in an area, to make sure that people can all use and enjoy public spaces, safe from antisocial behaviour.

They can be used to protect the public from behaviour that is having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the area.

The behaviour must also be ongoing or happening regularly and be unreasonable.

PSPOs replaced powers to make Gating Orders, Designated Public Place Orders (street drinking restriction powers) and Dog Control Orders.

Failing to comply with a PSPO is a criminal offence and could result in a fixed penalty notice of up to £100, or a fine of up to £1,000 if prosecuted.

When considering what could be included in a PSPO, the council must balance things that make people feel safer and happier, with not stopping people enjoying themselves or introducing rules and regulations that can’t be enforced.