RBWM consultation on plans for catapult crackdown still open 

A public consultation seeking views on proposals to give authorities more powers to challenge people carrying catapults in the Windsor and Eton areas is open until Thursday.

The consultation by the Royal Borough looks to create a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to provide police officers and community wardens with the power to challenge and fine anybody who is found carrying a catapult or slingshot alongside stones, pellets or ball bearings, with the intention of causing harm.

The order would cover Eton and Castle (including central Windsor), Old Windsor, Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury.

The council initiated the consultation in November, following a ‘number of instances of violence’ against wildlife, as well as damage to property and threats to harm people.

In December, the Advertiser reported on the rise in attacks on swans and other wildlife around Windsor and beyond. 

PSPOs introduce legal powers to help authorities to address specific issues of anti-social behaviour in an area that are having a detrimental impact on the community.

Residents are being encouraged to engage with the consultation by stating whether they agree or disagree with the proposal and to provide any further comments or suggestions and share experiences of any other anti-social behaviour issues.

The feedback will be analysed and shared with councillors to help inform future decisions and discussions regarding the PSPOs.

The consultation is open to feedback until Thursday, January 8.

In November, Cllr Richard Coe, cabinet member for household & regulatory services, said: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy our borough’s amazing parks and public spaces safely and are taking residents’ reports around catapulting seriously.

“This measure would give police and wardens the ability to act quickly to confiscate catapults and similar weapons where they are being misused: protecting people, property and wildlife, is part of our wider commitment to a cleaner, greener, safer borough.”

The consultation can be viewed at: https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/public-space-protection-order-catapults