New anti-booze powers introduced in Torbay

Torbay Council said the orders would be in place for three years

Changes to measures targeting alcohol consumption in public places have been made in part of Devon.

Torbay Council said Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) in Torquay, Brixham and Paignton town centres would allow police or authorised officers to ask people to stop drinking and remove alcohol from the area.

Previously, PSPO powers only permitted alcohol removal if the drinking was linked to nuisance or disorder incidents, the council said.

The authority added a PSPO had also been introduced in Torquay town centre, with the power to remove individuals from the zone for 24 hours.

The council said anyone who failed to comply with a PSPO could be prosecuted, with a maximum penalty of £1,000 possible.

The current PSPOs will be in place for three years, council bosses added.

'Enjoy spaces safely'

A public consultation was held before the PSPO changes came into force and the council said 93% of more than 300 respondents were in favour of prohibiting alcohol consumption in defined areas.

Hayley Tranter, council cabinet member for adult and community services, public health and inequalities, said the authority wanted its town centres to be "safe and welcoming for all".

"Crime and anti-social behaviour – and the fear of it – have a detrimental effect on people’s quality of life," Ms Tranter said.

"A PSPO is not there to stop people enjoying our open spaces, we simply want to make sure that everyone is able to enjoy those spaces safely.

"These PSPOs are an extra tool to help our officers and the police combat anti-social behaviour."