BCP Council is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area – but it needs the input of residents.

The authority has launched a consultation which outlines proposals for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which addresses alcohol related anti-social behaviour – and you have until 13 April to respond.

The PSPO gives powers to accredited community safety officers and police to remove alcohol from anyone behaving in an anti-social manner in public spaces. It is not an alcohol ban for public spaces and it does not make it an offence to drink alcohol in the area covered by the Order. However, it is an offence to fail to comply with a request from an officer to cease drinking or surrender alcohol in the area covered by the Order, if the individual is or is likely to cause anti-social behaviour.

Cllr May Haines, portfolio holder for Community Safety, said, “We want to ensure that people visiting, living and working in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole feel safe and that street based anti-social behaviour is addressed robustly. We also need to make sure we take a consistent and balanced approach for the BCP area, applying effective solutions to the complex issues around anti-social behaviour. As part of that approach we need to ensure powers under the PSPO can be used across the areas where there are persistent problems and we will be seeking people’s views through this consultation.”

You can access the consultation on https://haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/pspo.

A full report on the findings and outcomes of the consultation will be presented to BCP Council Cabinet, who will make a decision on the implementation of the changes.