DRUNKEN anti-social behaviour is being clamped down on in Stratford.
Stratford District Council has granted a Public Space Protection Order to address anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol consumption in the whole of Stratford including the town centre, Bishopton, Clopton, Tiddington and Shottery.
Over the last three years, SDC and Warwickshire Police have received increasing reports from residents regarding criminal and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol use in Stratford.
PSPOs are designed to tackle anti-social behaviour in public places.
The PSPO states: “Anywhere within the boundaries of the restricted area, police officers, police community support officers and any other person duly authorised by the council are authorised to require a person to stop drinking alcohol and surrender any alcohol container in their possession, where anti-social behaviour is occurring, or in their reasonable belief is likely to occur.”
A breach of the order can be dealt with through the issuing of a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100.
In a public consultation conducted on the proposed PSPO, 96.3 per cent of respondents supported it.
SDC’s community safety spokesperson Coun Natalie Gist said: “This PSPO will provide additional powers to police officers and police community support officers to prevent alcohol related anti-social behaviour from escalating. This order will not prohibit the law-abiding public from consuming alcohol in public. It will allow the police to take steps to prevent harm to the community from those who are consuming or possessing alcohol and causing anti-social behaviour.”
South Warwickshire police chief inspector Simon Ryan added: “We are already hearing positive things from residents as we use the PSPO as one of the many tools at our disposal to deal with anti-social behaviour in the town.
“Combined with other actions we take – including ongoing neighbourhood patrols – the PSPO gives us the ability to intervene early when we see behaviour that might escalate.
“It’s very important to make it clear that the PSPO does not cover all street drinking, and this is not a ban on alcohol consumption in the town centre. The powers are just intended for those who are causing anti-social behaviour.”
