Plans to tackle antisocial drinking in Basingstoke
Antisocial drinkers could be fined up to £1,000
Plans to crack down on antisocial drinking in Basingstoke town centre have been proposed – and the council wants people to give their views.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council wants to implement a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which would make it an offence for someone to drink alcohol in certain areas after police or council officers have asked them to stop.
The council says they want to introduce a PSPO in areas where alcohol-related antisocial behaviour has been reported and had a negative impact on businesses, visitors, or residents.
The proposed area includes the town centre, War Memorial Park, Eastrop Park, Glebe Gardens, Holy Ghost Cemetery and small sections of Brookvale, Norden and Eastrop.
Anyone who does not comply could receive an on-the-spot fine of £100. If they’re convicted by a Magistrates Court, that fine could be up to £1,000.
“Of course we want to encourage people to come out and socialise and enjoy the hospitality sector, and it just allows us to make sure everyone does that in the nicest possible way.”
Simon Bound, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Planning and Infrastructure, says antisocial drinking has been an issue in the past.
“There isn’t one particular place where it’s a problem. It very much is that, you know, every now and again, somebody’s had too much to drink.
"What it allows our officers to do is to trigger that process of ‘you’ve probably had enough’. That means they can get themselves in a taxi, go home, and call it a night”
But with lockdown restrictions easing, some argue the PSPO may limit the public’s ability to enjoy socialising at the end of a difficult year.
Cllr Bound disagrees, saying: “It’s not unusual for a town centre to have these sorts of options.
“Of course we want to encourage people to come out and socialise and enjoy the hospitality sector, and it just allows us to make sure everyone does that in the nicest possible way.”
The public is now being encouraged by the council to offer feedback on the proposals during a three-week consultation period.
Cllr Bound says the public’s feedback may highlight areas that the council has missed.
“I think it’s just really to say that we’re not being disproportionate. I think one of the common misconceptions about that is a sort of ‘are we banning alcohol being drunk in the town?’ Of course we’re not. We would encourage people to come and enjoy the hospitality sector.”