TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are being urged to re-introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to combat alcohol-fueled anti-social behaviour in the borough.
A similar order was introduced in 2017 for a three year period after a public consultation exercise showed that 70 per cent of people who responded favour a borough-wide order.
Now members of the borough council’s cabinet are being recommended to re-introduce the order.
A new consultation has shown that 96 per cent of people who responded support the re-introduction of the order – and 90 per cent support the order continuing to be borough-wide.
They believed there was still a need for the order, that alcohol and street drinking linked to anti-social behaviour was still an issue, that it led to intimidation and fear, litter, and broken glass in the streets.
A report to be considered by Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet indicated that alcohol-related anti-social behaviour has decreased – particularly in the town centre.
But there had been increases in some areas – notably Fairfield and Howley, Appleton, Latchford and Poulton North and South.
It is thought this may be due to COVID 19 restrictions.
A PSPO gives police additional powers to deal with anti-social behaviour. Breaches of an order can be dealt with by fixed penalty orders of up to £100 or fines of up to £1,000.
But a PSPO does not ban public drinking – rather greater powers to control public drinking where is it causing problems.
Police say while there has been a welcome reduction in alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, particularly in the town centre, there is evidence of a continuing borough-wide problem.
There are fears that problems could increase as the country eases out of lockdown.
The cabinet will be recommended to approve the re-introduction of the order.
