Locals are being asked for their views on plans to renew restrictions on nuisance street drinking in Bath, and Midsomer Norton town centre, for another three years.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has launched a consultation as it looks to renew legal orders which enable it and the police to continue to address anti-social behaviour associated with the possession and consumption of alcohol.
The existing three-year Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) expire in September and the council has a statutory duty to consult on their renewal.
People are asked for their views on continuing to prohibit someone from having alcohol in their possession, care or control in any public place within the restricted areas where they are behaving in a way likely to cause, or where an authorised officer reasonably suspects would lead to, harassment, alarm or distress, crime, or disorder.
It would not be a criminal offence to consume alcohol within a restricted area.
PSPOs are not intended to disrupt peaceful activities and are used explicitly to deal with anti-social behaviour in public places that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life.
It would be an offence however, without reasonable excuse, to fail to comply with a request by an authorised officer to cease drinking or surrender alcohol.
A person guilty of that would be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “We are committed to maintaining Bath and North East Somerset as a place that residents can be proud of and people want to visit.
“People should feel safe when out and about in our city and town centres. We want to find out whether residents continue to support these PSPOs as they have done in the past, so please have your say in our consultation.”
The proposed PSPO includes car parks to which the public have access and public parks, as well as other public spaces such as streets.
The deadline for comments is 16th August. You can have your say here.
