Council tackles anti-social behaviour in Crediton
BBCA town in Devon is joining other places across the county by banning public drinking in order to crack down on anti-social behaviour.
Mid Devon District Council said it had introduced a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in Crediton to give police extra powers to to tackle anti-social behaviour and street drinking.
The order will allow authorised officers to disperse individuals who are causing a nuisance or disorder, and the power to remove alcohol from people who are drinking on the streets, before a situation escalates.
Insp Mark Arthurs said the PSPO was "an additional tool" for police to use to "challenge and tackle nuisance behaviour that's upsetting and distressing our communities".
He said: "We recognise there have been issues impacting our community and have worked with the council to introduce the PSPO, which means we can police the area more effectively and disperse anyone causing problems in the town."
Devon and Cornwall Police said officers could issue a fixed penalty notice of up to £1,000 to anyone they believed had committed an offence.
Other restrictions will include having an unsealed container of alcohol, or anything reasonably believed to be alcohol, after being requested to surrender it and remaining within the Crediton town centre area after being directed to leave.
Steve Brannan, owner of Ashton's Coffee Lounge, said he welcomed the change.
He said: "I think it's good - it'll take away a bit of the unsightly aspect of a beautiful town square which then can be used for its original purpose of a place to come and meet and sit down have a chat and just get on with day-to-day life.
"It isn't all hell broke loose, there's an element that has crept into the area of late - drinking, heavy drinking."
Luke Howard from Mid Devon District Council said anti-social behaviour had been a "particular problem" on the high street for the last 12 to 18 months.
He said: "This is something which we're introducing to enable us to help the community, the businesses and visitors to the area to not have to deal with that antisocial behaviour.
"While the vast majority of people use the town centre responsibly, a small number of individuals have been causing a disproportionate level of nuisance and distress to others."
Councillor Guy Cochran said everyone deserved to "feel safe where they live, work and visit".
"This protection order is an important step in tackling the anti-social behaviour affecting our town centre and reflects our commitment to working with Devon and Cornwall Police and the local community to keep Crediton a welcoming place for everyone," he said.
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