Council bosses are proposing to introduce tough new powers to tackle antisocial behaviour hot spots on Sheppey.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) are banning orders prohibiting some activities such as drinking and dog fouling.

Swale Borough Council (SBC) is asking residents whether they should be introduced in three key areas - Sheerness town centre, including the high street and sea front, the alleyway off Galway Road and swathes of Leysdown - including most of the seafront and the area around The Promenade.

The orders would replace existing alcohol control zones and dog control orders due to expire in October. They can be revised after three years.

Introduced in 2015 under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, PSPOs allow councils to outlaw some practices not targeted by existing laws within a predefined mapped area.

“The restriction on public drinking won’t apply to licenced premises, and if you’re not causing a disturbance or nuisance to others, you won’t notice any difference.” - Cllr Alan Horton, cabinet member for safer families and communities

If approved, the new orders will give the police and council officers the powers to confiscate alcohol from people drinking in a public area where they are causing nuisance or annoyance to others, or there has been drink-related disorder.

It will not be an offence to drink alcohol in these areas, but it would be an offence to continue drinking in the zones if told not to do so by a police officer or environment warden.

The Galway Road alleyway would be an entirely new banning area. This would allow SBC to install lockable gates which shall remain shut for 24 hours of the day except for private access and for the purposes of cleaning, maintenance, and emergency access.

Cllr Alan Horton, cabinet member for safer families and communities at the council, said:
“PSPOs are about improving the quality of life for local people - we don’t want to stop people enjoying themselves, but this makes sure we have an effective tool to tackle the minority who spoil it for everyone else.

“The restriction on public drinking won’t apply to licenced premises, and if you’re not causing a disturbance or nuisance to others, you won’t notice any difference.”

The consultation is running until 13 August and people can take part by following these links: Sheerness, Leysdown and Galway Road. For hard copies of the survey, call Tina Grafton on 01795 417 099.