People living in four areas are being urged to come forward to give their views in the fight to tackle street drinking.

Swale council is reviewing its use of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Sittingbourne, Faversham, Leysdown and Sheerness as it looks to combat the rise in anti-social behaviour.

At present PSPOs in Swale require people to stop drinking alcohol in these specific areas if requested to do so by police or authorised council officer.

It means anyone drinking alcohol and suspected of causing trouble could have it taken away, be issued with a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 or face arrest.

The council is asking for residents’ views on the existing measures in the form of four consultations.

Councillor Richard Palmer (SIA, Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch) believes this will allow the problem to be better tackled.

The chairman of the community committee at Swale council said: "We are committed to making our public spaces safe and enjoyable for everyone.

“These orders were put in place a few years ago to improve the quality of life for local people.

“We don’t want to stop people enjoying themselves or going about their day, but PSPOs help us to make sure we can tackle the minority who spoil it for everyone else.

“If you’re not causing a disturbance or nuisance to others, you wouldn’t even know they were in place.

“We need to review the orders to make sure they’re working effectively, so it would be great to get as many views as possible from people in the areas they cover."

The review comes after a group of councillors wrote an open letter to Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott outlining their concerns about Sittingbourne.

Heading the letter was Kemsley councillor Cllr Ashley Wise (Lab), who declared urgent action is required to combat street drinkers who he said have made the town centre feel “unsafe” and “intimidating”.

In response to Cllr Wise’s letter, Mr Scott said more officers would be deployed.

He added: “Thanks to the investment I have made, supported by the government, the force has more police than ever before.

“Kent Police is in the process of rolling out a new neighbourhood policing model which will see these officers deployed on the beat to local communities and schools - including in Sittingbourne – and the town is already benefiting from this.”

There is also a further consultation on the issue of dog control, which is also covered by Swale’s PSPO.

The council is asking for people's thoughts on whether keeping dogs on leads and off the beach in specific areas of Leysdown, Minster and Sheerness between 1 May and 30 September is currently effective.

To respond to the consultation click here.

It is open until September 4.