Published on Saturday 13 January 2024
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council are asking residents to share their views on street-based alcohol related anti-social behaviour (ASB) as part of their continued commitment to improving safety across our communities.
The council is launching a four-week consultation which is reviewing their current Alcohol Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which was first introduced back in July 2021, covering public places in the majority of towns and streets across the conurbation.
Public Spaces Protection Orders give powers to authorised council officers and the Police to remove alcohol from anyone behaving in an anti-social manner which is having a detrimental impact on others in a public space and require them to leave an area for up to 48 hours.
The PSPO doesn’t make it an offence to consume alcohol in an area covered by the Order but is if an individual fails to comply with a request from an authorised officer to cease drinking or surrender their drink if they are deemed to be acting anti-socially.
Councillor Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said: “The effects of street based ASB can have a visible impact on the appearance of towns and streets, cause significant disruption and make people feel vulnerable and unsafe.
“To ensure this type of behaviour is addressed robustly across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, we, as a council, need to ensure we are taking a consistent and balanced approach to tackling it.
“Your views on the powers contained within the PSPO, their effectiveness and whether you’d like to see them extended for a further three years are really important to us, so please take a few minutes to share your feedback and help shape it moving forward.”
The consultation will run for approximately four weeks and close on Monday 12 February.
A full report on the findings and outcomes will be presented to the council’s Cabinet, who will then decide on the implementation of any changes.
The consultation can be viewed by visiting: https://haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/alcohol-pspo-review.
Editor’s Notes:
- The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 introduced Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to tackle a wide range of anti-social behaviour issues.
- The Act gives councils the authority to draft and implement PSPOs in response to particular issues affecting the quality of life of those in their communities.
- A PSPO lasts for a total of three years, whereafter it must be reviewed and consulted upon in order for it to remain in place.
- For interviews and further information, please contact the BCP Council press office by emailing office@bcpcouncil.gov.uk