The council’s newly formed City Impact Team has held a one-day crackdown on cyclists, e-scooters and e-bikes flouting the Public Space Preservation Order (PSPO) on Bridge Street.
A total of 14 fixed penalty notices were handed out and Cambridgeshire Constabulary seized two illegal e-bikes and four e-scooters on Wednesday, 26 August. During the operation, City Impact Team Officers and police from Cambridgeshire Constabulary dealt with those who ignored the PSPO and weaved through the pedestrian-only zone, putting vulnerable shoppers at risk.
Councillor Shabina Qayyum, leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “This is the latest action by our newly formed City Impact Team, which launched following the hugely positive Operation Horizon earlier this month.
“Lots of residents have told us they feel vulnerable and scared shopping in our city centre, with e-scooters and e-bikes whizzing past them at speed. Once again, we are listening and taking action.”
Enforcing the PSPOs, which cover cycling, littering, consuming alcohol (apart from in a licensed premises), urinating and anti-social behaviour is normally the role of Peterborough City Council’s City Impact Team officers. However, as they cover the entire city centre, Cambridgeshire Constabulary stepped in to lend them a hand for the event.
The team's powers are different from those of the Police, and officers do not possess the same legal powers. However, they work professionally, fairly and robustly within the legislation available to them. Their approach is always to educate, advise and encourage compliance wherever possible, but they will take appropriate enforcement action when offences under the PSPO are being committed.
Cllr Qayyum, said: “This is just the latest approach from our City Impact Team and we have more to follow in the coming weeks and months. I would like to thank both our City Impact Team officers and the Police for this crackdown. And to those at home, I want to say that we are listening, we are taking action and we will make our city centre a cleaner, safer and more welcoming place for you.”