Great Yarmouth Borough Council to vote on new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour

This follows a public consultation last summer where residents highlighted feeling safe and the cleanliness of the town centre as being among their top priorities.

At a meeting of the council on Thursday, March 20, members will consider the introduction of a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the borough to outlaw public drinking of alcohol, begging, urinating in public, spitting and riding bikes or e-scooters on paths.

Councillor Paul Wells, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability, Licensing and Waste, 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.

''We have listened to what people want for their community and this new order will be an important step in helping us ensure we have a safer and more welcoming environment that we know people want.

''This new Public Spaces Protection Order will enable council officers and the police to take swift action against offenders. We are focused on changing unacceptable behaviour that affects the lives of our residents and visitors and believe this co-ordinated approach will help improve people's perception of the borough.''

If the council agrees the new order, it will take effect from April 1, 2025. There will be high-profile signage with graphics and links to make the signage accessible for all.

PSPOs were introduced nationally in 2014 and were designed to simplify and replace powers granted to local authorities. They allow councils to tackle activities in public places which have had, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of people locally.

There are currently three PSPOs in the borough which allow the council, in partnership with the police, to deal with some alcohol concerns, vehicles and dog control.

The proposed order would replace the existing one relating to alcohol and would be in place for a three-year period and will be annually reviewed.

The move comes after the council last year commissioned a major survey - carried out by a firm of communications experts - of more than 700 people in Great Yarmouth which was designed to find out the priorities of those who live, work, study, visit and do business locally.

And, while there was broad recognition that Great Yarmouth is an affordable place to live with easy access to local services, the survey showed there was consensus around better tackling anti-social behaviour to make the town feel safer and more welcoming. Issues around crime and drug and alcohol abuse were a particular concern for some people.

Councillor Wells said: ''As a council we are focused on things that will help us make a difference to the lives of our residents. Tackling anti-social behaviour is a key priority.

''There is a huge amount of work being done across the town as we seek to raise aspirations and drive economic development, with things like the transformation happening in the Market Place.

''But anti-social behaviour is a recurring theme and we hope these measures will be a valuable new addition as we work hard to make improvements across the borough.''