Public space orders to tackle alcohol yobbishness extended for three years

Wyre’s Cabinet agreed to extend the existing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) for Alcohol Related Anti-Social Behaviour to include the whole of Thornton, Cleveleys, Fleetwood and Poulton – with an added extension into Garstang.

The orders mean people can be prosecuted or given a fixed penalty notice of up to £100, if they fail to surrender alcohol when asked to do so by a police officer or other authorised person.

They are only used when necessary to tackle alcohol related anti-social behaviour, and no offence is committed if individuals comply with a request to stop drinking or dispose of alcohol when asked to do so.

The extension follows a public consultation exercise over six weeks between October 1 and the November 13 last year.

Consultees were largely in favour of the move.

One stated: “It will help to stop groups meeting up in parks and open spaces to drink alcohol and taking drugs especially now that bars are closing at 10pm.”

Another responded: “This will help to address underage drinking and anti-social behaviour.”

Others said it would help address concerns that those meeting up to drink alcohol outdoors might be more likely to spread the Covid virus.

The PSPO came into force on the 20 October 2017 to address issues of anti-social behaviour.

The proposals to extend it have been backed by both Lancashire Police and Lancashire Police and Crime Commisioner, Clive Grunshaw, although Mr Grunshaw backed police recommendations that the areas covered should be extended still further.

The Cabinet agreed “that the Environmental Protection and Community Safety Manager take forward the recommendation made by Lancashire Constabulary and the Police & Crime Commissioner to consider expansion of the PSPO to encompass the whole administrative district.”

This should be done by “undertaking a further public consultation exercise as soon as is reasonably practicable.”