Public Spaces Protection Orders which give Police and City Council officers powers to address alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in areas of the city are set to be extended
The PSPOs are due to end this October so the council’s Executive Board voted to extend them for a further three years at a meeting on 22 September.
Similar powers have been in place since 2005 and have been used over 7,000 times over the past three years. They have been critical in supporting the council’s aims of dealing effectively with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
The PSPO covers the whole of Nottingham City. Without the PSPOs, it is expected that alcohol related anti-social behaviour would increase and cause significant problems for businesses, citizens and visitors to Nottingham.
Under the orders, a Community Protection Officer can:
- Require a person not to consume alcohol
- Require a person to surrender any alcohol in his/her possession
- Dispose of the alcohol
- Issue a fine of £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days).
The PSPOs help tackle anti-social behaviours associated with street drinking, including vomiting, urinating and defecating in public areas, littering, violence, aggressive or intimidating behaviour and criminal damage. They do not prevent people having a picnic in a park where alcohol is consumed responsibly, for example.
Cllr Matt Shannon, Executive Member for Community Protection, Neighbourhoods, and Equalities, said:
“Street drinking can unfortunately make our city feel unpleasant and unsafe if left unchecked. It can lead to noise concerns, rowdy behaviour, harassment, and intimidation, and the issue of littering cans, cups, and bottles.
“The nighttime economy in Nottingham is bustling. We want people to enjoy everything our city has to offer, and it is only a small number of individuals who take things too far. These measures allow our Community Protection Officers to deal with disruptive behaviour quickly and effectively.”
ENDS