HARASSMENT ST

PLAN TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL STREET SELLERS AND COLLECTORS

- ALEXANDER BROCK

A CRACKDOWN on illegal street trading, peddling and charity collectors is being considered by Birmingham City Council amid concerns over an "environment of harassment" in the city centre.

The authority says a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering New Street and certain other roads could be introduced to combat anti-social behaviour.

It follows complaints about illegal street trading, peddling, charity cash or digital collections and obstructions of the public highway.

The council itself has also experienced hostilities, with one female officer being threatened with “would you like your face punched in” by an acquaintance of an illegal street trader/pedlar.