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According to the report, since the PSPO came into force there had been 827 occasions when people had been asked to leave the area. Meanwhile, alcohol had been confiscated on 136 occasions, while drugs had been confiscated 31 times. Although a £100 fixed penalty notice could be issued under the order, no one had yet been fined, the report said. Sheffield Business Improvement District (BID) reported that it had seen several positive outcomes from the PSPO, particularly in terms of improving the city centre's atmosphere and reducing visible anti-social behaviour. The increased visibility of patrols had been welcomed by businesses, contributing to a greater sense of safety and reassurance for staff and visitors, the report stated. However, Sheffield BID also reported there were "concerns the deterrent effect of the PSPO is being undermined by a lack of enforcement". "Where enforcement is lacking, the behaviours the PSPO seeks to address are beginning to re-emerge, which risks diminishing its overall effectiveness," the organisation said. The report, to be discussed by the committee on Monday, stated: "Overall, the first six months of the PSPO seem to have been a success and have resulted in the city feeling safer." But it added that "officers will need to adapt how the PSPO is policed and enforced to ensure lessons learned during this period result in further enhancing the city centre for everyone".
