Call for tougher measures to control street drinking

MOST people in Warrington would like to see tougher measures to control street drinking and the anti-social behaviour it causes.
Seventy per cent of 248 people who responded to a consultation exercise carried out by the borough council would like to see a borough-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) as part of the Warrington Community Safety Partnership’s work to improve safety in public places.
If introduced, the PSPO would serve as an update to Warrington’s currently active “Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Place Order” which expires in October.
This covers most of the borough, supporting the work to tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
People were asked whether they would like to see a PSPO covering the whole borough or one targeting specific hotspots. Most opted for a borough-wide scheme.
They also highlighted the issue of litter and rubbish being left behind from alcohol related anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Judith Guthrie, the council’s lead member for environment and public protection, said: “This consultation is an important part of our wider work to make Warrington a better place to live. It is clear from the breakdown of the results that respondents agree with the order and that a significant majority are in favour of a borough-wide PSPO.
“Working closely with our community safety partners with the existing order has shown that it is a useful and effective tool and has usually reduced or stopped drinking-related nuisance. These new PSPO recommendations will enable this to continue, upporting our on-going work to keep our communities safe.”
The PSPO would not mean a ban on public drinking, but would enable greater control of it where it is causing problems, such as large groups of drinkers intimidating residents or passers-by. Measures in place would include police being given additional powers to confiscate alcohol where there is associated anti-social behaviour. However, as well as enforcement, there would be an equal focus on support for those involved in this behaviour.