Drinking in public will be banned in five areas in PeterboroughDrinking in public will be banned in five areas in Peterborough
Drinking in public will be banned in five areas in Peterborough

Ban on drinking alcohol in public extended to fifth area in Peterborough - seven areas removed from list

A ban on drinking alcohol in public is being extended to a fifth area in Peterborough.

The city council wants to add Welland Close/Crocus Grove in Dogsthorpe to an existing list of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) which already includes:

. Goodacre, Orton Goldhay

. Coneygree Road/Scott Close, Stanground

. Larch Grove, Dogsthorpe

. Furze Ride/Welland Road, Dogsthorpe.

The existing bans on those four places is set to be extended for another three years, but the current restrictions in seven further places will be removed from October 20.

These are:

. Herlington Centre, Eldern and Paynels, Orton Longuville

. Orton Centre and Oakleigh Drive, Orton Waterville

. Church Lane, Orton Waterville

.Dogsthorpe

.Regional College area, Park ward

. Eastfield Road, Eastfield

. Crabtree, Paston.

A breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence which can result in an arrest and a fine of up to £1,000 or a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.

The council said: “Any revenue from fines will be re-invested into delivering services.”

PSPOs replaced Gating Orders and Designated Public Place Orders in October 2017 and by law have to be extended every three years to continue.

They can only be implemented where evidence shows a ban on drinking in the area will reduce anti-social behaviour.

Under the law, police officers have powers to require a person in the designated area to not consume alcohol and to surrender it if asked.

The powers do not prevent people from drinking on licensed premises or within their own gardens within the order area.

Gating Orders also enabled access to alleyways to be restricted where crime and anti-social behaviour were being committed and alternative routes could be provided.

The decisions made by the council on which areas to extend the PSPOs for, and which to allow to expire, were made following a review in July which included examining current crime and anti-social behaviour levels.

The council said views were sought from the police, highways officers and the city’s largest housing association Cross Keys Homes.

Moreover, “key interested parties and those who visit, live and work in the vicinity of the five order areas” were said to have been consulted during August which resulted in 25 responses, while acting Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire, Ray Bisby, and Chief Constable for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Nick Dean, are said to approve of the proposals.

The areas which will no longer be subject to a PSPO are said to have seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour and crime.

Commenting on the reasons for continuing with the five PSPOs, the council added: “Residents will continue to benefit from low levels of crime and anti-social behaviour and increased feelings of safety and security.

“The quality of life in the proposed areas will be maintained, which will make Peterborough a better place to live, work and visit.”

Three separate PSPSOs have been implemented in recent years in the city centre, Woodston and Millfield, New England, Eastfield and Embankment. These are unaffected by the council’s decision.