Public Space Protection Order Granted by Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has granted a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that seeks to address anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol consumption in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The PSPO proposal was granted by the Stratford-on-Avon District Council Regulatory Committee on Thursday 5 December, bringing the Order into effect. Over the last three years, the District Council and Police have received increasing reports from residents regarding criminal and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol use in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Public Space Protection Orders are designed to tackle anti-social behaviour in public places. The behaviour which the District Council is looking to prohibit has been identified as detrimental, persistent and unreasonable to the area. The PSPO introduces the following prohibition: '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 (FPN) of up to £100. A person who is guilty of an offence is liable on conviction in the Magistrates' Court to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

In a public consultation conducted on the proposed PSPO, 96.3% of respondents supported the proposed condition around alcohol consumption and acting in an anti-social manner within the defined area.

Cllr Natalie Gist, Portfolio Holder for Law and Governance, including Community Safety, 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, said: "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."

The full order including the conditions, boundary map, and frequently asked questions, can be accessed here.