COUNCIL chiefs are asking Worcester residents for their views on the potential introduction of new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in the city centre.
The council is considering introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in the city centre to address anti-social behaviour experienced by residents and visitors.
If given the green light, the PSPO will give powers to ban urinating and defecating in public areas, feeding gulls and pigeons, and aggressive begging or sitting and standing for the purposes of begging from the heart of Worcester.
Those under the influence of drugs or illegal highs and those skateboarding and cycling illegally could also be fined if the ban is introduced.
Any person found by police, community support or designated council officers to be in breach of the proposed requirements would be guilty of a criminal offence under the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
They could be fined up to £70 or £1,000 if prosecuted.
In practice, the city council and the police would work together and take a phased approach to help people change their behaviour, before resorting to a fine.
Coun James Stanley, chair of the city council’s communities committee, said: “Worcester city centre is not a hot-bed for anti-social behaviour, but there is always room for improvement.
“However, residents will probably have different views on which of these powers we should introduce, so I want to really urge people to have their say.”
The consultation runs for eight weeks until April 24 and can be completed at www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit.
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