Police issue fines to town centre drinkers

The Welwyn Hatfield Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) issued fines to people found drinking in Hatfield town centre last week.

Across Monday and Tuesday (11 and 12 September), officers issued a number of fixed penalty tickets to people, for breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) currently in place in the town centre.

The total sum of the fines was £375.

PSPOs give police additional powers to combat anti-social behaviour. The current PSPO, which runs for three years, was first introduced by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in 2018. It was reviewed in 2021 and extended until 2024.

Inspector Amy Sheldon, from the SNT, said: “The town centre is a no drinking zone and we hope this news reassures the public that we are committed to enforcing the PSPO.

“Since the PSPO was introduced we have seen a decrease in anti-social reports but we remain committed to ensuring the environment is safe and pleasant for all.

“Breaches of the PSPO can be reported to us by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.”

Cllr Sandreni Bonfante, Executive Member Environment, at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, said: “We’re pleased to see the positive results of the PSPO in Hatfield town centre, which has helped to reduce anti-social behaviour and make the area more welcoming for residents and visitors. We are continuously working in partnership with the police and other agencies to monitor levels of nuisance anti-social behaviour in our town centres and take appropriate action when needed. We encourage the public to report any breaches of the PSPO to the police and to share their feedback on the community voice platform ‘echo’.”

To receive police messages about a range of topics including burglaries, scams and missing people in your local area, sign up to OWL (opens in a new window) or download the ‘OWL crime alerts’ app from your app store.

You can use our community voice platform ‘echo’ to let us know what you think we should be prioritising in your area. Your feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives and campaigns. Visit the following and tell us your thoughts.

Welwyn Hatfield North echo (opens in a new window) – (Welwyn West, Welwyn East, Haldens, Sherrards, Handside, Peartree and Panshanger)

Welwyn Hatfield South echo (opens in a new window) – (Hollybush, Cuffley, Howlands, Northaw, Hatfield East, Hatfield South, Welham Green, Brookmans Park and Little Heath)

Welwyn Hatfield West echo (opens in a new window) – (Hatfield Villages, Hatfield Central, Hatfield South West and the University of Hertfordshire)