Council extends order tackling anti-social conduct

The new orders will help tackle public drinking of alcohol, urinating in public, spitting and riding bikes or e-scooters on paths

Police will have more powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in a seaside town after councillors agreed to extend a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

At a Great Yarmouth Borough Council meeting on Thursday, councillors unanimously voted for a PSPO to remain in place for the next three years.

The borough has three existing PSPOs, which help the council and police deal with persistent anti-social behaviour in the area such as drunk and disorderly conduct and dog control.

Paul Wells, a Conservative councillor and portfolio holder for environment, sustainability, licensing and waste, said tackling anti-social behaviour was a "key priority".

Swift action

The new PSPO will begin on 1 April and will outlaw drinking alcohol in public, urinating in public, spitting and riding bikes or e-scooters on paths.

It will replace the previous PSPOs for alcohol in the borough and will be reviewed annually.

The orders were introduced nationally in 2014 and were first imposed in the seaside town in 2016.

Mr Wells said the Conservative-led authority was listening to people's concerns in the community.

He said: "We regularly receive complaints about the increase of highly visible street drinking and people feeling intimidated by a range of other anti-social behaviour.

"This new Public Spaces Protection Order will enable council officers and the police to take swift action against offenders."