The new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will ensure law-abiding residents can enjoy public areas peacefully
Antisocial street drinkers are being warned that enforcement action is being stepped up in Newark town centre to cut crime and combat unruly behaviour.
A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) has come into effect to deal with alcohol-related nuisance and ensure law-abiding residents can enjoy public areas safely and peacefully.
The order, instigated by Newark and Sherwood District Council in partnership with Newark Police, extends from Riverside Park along the riverside to Queen’s Road, Sherwood Avenue, London Road and Pelham Street, Newark Castle grounds and the Wharf, as well as the Sherwood Avenue Park, Market Place and the Church Gardens.
“We want to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy Newark safely and as such, we are aware that groups or individuals consuming alcohol in public areas and behaving in an anti-social manner can make people feel intimidated and uncomfortable," said Alan Batty, the council’s business manager for public protection.
“The introduction of the new PSPO is a positive step. It gives more officers the power to tackle street drinking where it is having a detrimental effect to the community.
“We are focused on on reducing alcohol misuse and associated anti-social behaviour and we will, alongside the police, take action against any individuals or groups who are causing a nuisance or distress to others, while continuing to offer referrals to appropriate support services for anyone with alcohol related issues.”
The order is enforceable by the council’s community protection and anti-social behaviour officers as well as police officers and police community support officers.
Offenders consuming alcohol and causing or likely to cause anti-social behaviour in the area covered by the order must either stop drinking the alcohol and dispose of it; surrender the alcohol to the enforcing officer; or immediately leave the area.
A PSPO allows for greater control of alcohol consumption where it is of a potentially intimidating, distressing or problematic nature to the community.
It is not an offence to drink alcohol in a controlled drinking zone.
However, it is an offence to fail to comply with a request to cease drinking, surrender alcohol in a controlled drinking zone or leave the area when directed to do so.
Inspector Heather Sutton, district commander for Newark and Sherwood Police, said: “This is yet another tool we now have to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.
"We have committed to resolving this issue and steps such as the new PSPO show that we are seeking a long term solution.
“We have been working with Newark and Sherwood District Council to ensure the PSPO is fit for purpose and we are all clear about how we will move forward and enforce against those who breach it.”
