POWERS aimed at tackling antisocial driving at Beachy Head could be extended throughout the year after Eastbourne councillors unanimously backed calls for a review.
Eastbourne Borough Council has agreed a motion asking its cabinet to consider making the town’s Anti-Social Driving Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) enforceable all year round.
The order currently operates between April 1 and October 31, targeting behaviour including engine revving, racing, rapid acceleration and driving stunts.
Conservative councillor Penny Di Cara, who proposed the motion, argued that restricting enforcement to part of the year sent the wrong message.
She said: “When the [PSPO] was considered previously, all the reports of antisocial driving were collated month-by-month and I admit that during the winter months the reports were slightly lower, but I don’t think significantly lower personally.
“I think there could be other reasons for that, maybe there are not so many people around in the winter months to report them.
“But I think it gives a really bad impression, I think it sends out the wrong signal. It says it is okay to drive antisocially in the winter.”
A report produced before the order was introduced in February 2022 said seasonal enforcement was appropriate from a “proportionality and enforcement perspective”, because fewer incidents were reported during winter.
It recorded 250 incidents between April and September 2021, compared with 175 during the October-to-March period. Reports were highest in April, May and June.
Although councillors unanimously supported the motion, cabinet member for community safety Councillor Kathy Ballard warned that extending the order would require support from Sussex Police.
The Liberal Democrat councillor said seasonal enforcement had reduced incidents by 14 per cent, but police resources and evidence of winter incidents would need to be considered.
She said: “Naturally, residents want that peace extended year round.
“However, responsible leadership means working constructively with our partners at Sussex Police, not ignoring operational realities.”
Cllr Ballard added that historically lower winter figures made police cautious about committing resources throughout the year.
The PSPO also prohibits modifying vehicles to produce excessive sound and performing stunts such as doughnuts, drifting, skidding, handbrake turns and wheel spinning.
Breaching the order can result in a fixed penalty notice of up to £100, or a fine of up to £1,000 following conviction.
The council’s decision asks cabinet to examine an extension; it does not immediately change the order’s operating dates.
