Kent’s first Local Authority Criminal Behaviour Order

Thanet District Council secured Kent’s first Local Authority Criminal Behaviour Order in Court.

It is believed to be one of justa handful of the Criminal Behaviour Orders issued in the whole country since new legislation commenced in 2015.

The order was served on Tuesday 1 August to Jayne Royle of Grange Road, Ramsgate, for repeatedly dropping waste in resident’s gardens, parks and open spaces, and causing considerable distress to her neighbours.

The extent of her behaviour was also affirmed by evidence that a staggering 69% of all complaints made to the council for dumped rubbish in Central Harbour ward in Ramsgate were attributed to her.

The order was a result of extensive work and collaboration between Thanet District Council’s Street Scene Enforcement, Community Safety and Legal teams, who had over time issued various other warnings and fixed penalty notices to try and put a stop to her behaviour.

Evidence of this process enabled Thanet Magistrate’s court to issue a Criminal Behaviour Order to prevent the anti-social behaviour happening again.

Cousellor Lin Fairbrass, Cabinet Member for Community Services at Thanet District Council, said:

“The scale of the behaviour displayed by this individual, over such a significant period of time, is simply unacceptable and shows a complete disrespect for other residents living nearby.

The dedication of the teams at the council who were involved in this case – in particular, their persistence to resolve the problem – has certainly paid off!

I hope that those affected by this behaviour are reassured that the significant result is due to our team’s commitment to take strong and appropriate action when it is needed.”

In addition, it was noted that the court was shocked by the scale of the behaviour, and that any further dumping of rubbish will result in immediate arrest.