Agenda item - Anti-social Behaviour Hove Seafront

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Agenda item

Anti-social Behaviour Hove Seafront

Report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture (Copy attached)

 

Contact Officer: Jo Player                                      Tel: 01273 292488

 

Ward Affected: All Wards

Decision:

RESOLVED – That the Committee

 

1.    Noted the contents of the report.

2.    Praised the efforts of the Seafront Office in dealing with anti-social behaviour on Hove Seafront.

3.    Requested that the Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council writes to the Divisional Commander of Sussex Police to ask for assistance i) in dealing with the more serious breaches of by-laws and ii) in developing a joint strategy to make better use of CCTV resources on and around the seafront.

4.    Called on officers to draw up plans to regularise signage on Hove seafront to make existing rules clearer.

5.    Called on officers to prioritise the clean-up of various seafront graffiti hotspots such as the King Alfred and Hove Lagoon.

6.    Gave officers backing to spend from existing budgets a sum of up to £500 for packets of graffiti wipes that would be made available free of charge from the Seafront Office to anybody wishing to clean up graffiti on the seafront.

7.    Called on officers to discuss the ongoing overflowing bin situation with appropriate colleagues.

8.    Called on officers to circulate other ideas to further bolster ongoing efforts.

Minutes:

7.1       The Committee considered a report of the Interim Director Housing Neighbourhoods and Communities which sough to provide an outline of the specific issue of anti-social behaviour on Hove Seafront. The report was provided by the Head of Safer Communities.

 

7.2       On behalf of the Conservative Party, Councillor Nemeth moved a motion to add recommendations 2.2 to 2.8 as shown in bold italics below:

 

2.2      Praises the efforts of the Seafront Office in dealing with anti-social behaviour on Hove seafront.

 

2.3      Requests that the Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council writes to the Divisional Commander of Sussex Police to ask for assistance i) in dealing with the more serious breaches of by-laws by means of scheduled crackdowns and ii) in developing a joint strategy to make better use of CCTV resources on and around the seafront.

 

2.4      Calls on officers to draw up plans to regularise signage on Hove seafront to make existing rules clearer.

 

2.5      Calls on officers to prioritise the clean-up of various seafront graffiti hotspots such as the King Alfred and Hove Lagoon.

2.6      Gives officers backing to spend from existing budgets a sum of up to £500 for packets of graffiti wipes that would be made available free of charge from the Seafront Office to anybody wishing to clean up graffiti on the seafront.

 

2.7      Calls on officers to discuss the ongoing overflowing bin situation with appropriate colleagues.

 

2.8       Calls on officers to circulate other ideas to further bolster ongoing efforts.

 

7.3      Councillor Simson formally seconded the amendment.

 

7.4      Nick May, Sussex Police, confirmed a large number of reports of anti-social behaviour on the seafront and agreed with Councillor Nemeth. It was stated that the congregation of young adults in the area was inevitable and that overall levels of crime levels had increased although were not higher that what would be expected at this time. It was noted that there was an emerging issue with regard to the status of Regency Square. A brief overview was provided of the levels of engagement by police officers across Brighton and Hove. It was stated that overall the approach was based around the threat of harm and risk.

 

7.5      Councillor MacCafferty noted that an intimidating atmosphere had grown within the vicinity of the seafront. More field officers on seafront was welcomed. It was stated that amendment 2.3 could not be agreed to due to the rhetoric.

 

7.6      Councillor O’Quinn noted Councillor MacCafferty’s concerns regarding the rise of anti-social behaviour and further noted a rise in petty crime.

 

7.7      The Chair noted the main objection to 2.3 was due to the language.

 

7.8      Councillor Simson expressed concern regarding the amount of vandalism that had taken place during the lockdown. Support from Councillor MacCafferty was welcomed.

 

7.9      Councillor Nemeth addressed concerns regarding the wording of amendment 2.3 and confirmed that he would be happy to amend this item following consensus.

 

7.10    Committee agreed an amendment to the wording of amendment 2.3 as below in bold italics:

 

2.3       Requests that the Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council writes to the Divisional Commander of Sussex Police to ask for assistance i) in dealing with the more serious breaches of by-laws ii) in developing a joint strategy to make better use of CCTV resources on and around the seafront.

 

 7.11   RESOLVED – That the Committee

 

1.    Noted the contents of the report.

2.    Praised the efforts of the Seafront Office in dealing with anti-social behaviour on Hove Seafront.

3.    Requested that the Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council writes to the Divisional Commander of Sussex Police to ask for assistance i) in dealing with the more serious breaches of by-laws and ii) in developing a joint strategy to make better use of CCTV resources on and around the seafront.

4.    Called on officers to draw up plans to regularise signage on Hove seafront to make existing rules clearer.

5.    Called on officers to prioritise the clean-up of various seafront graffiti hotspots such as the King Alfred and Hove Lagoon.

6.    Gave officers backing to spend from existing budgets a sum of up to £500 for packets of graffiti wipes that would be made available free of charge from the Seafront Office to anybody wishing to clean up graffiti on the seafront.

7.    Called on officers to discuss the ongoing overflowing bin situation with appropriate colleagues.

8.    Called on officers to circulate other ideas to further bolster ongoing efforts.

Supporting documents:

 


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