Police could soon be given powers to seize alcohol from people in a Wiltshire town centre as authorities prepare a major crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
The move comes after evidence gathered by Wiltshire Police highlighted a catalogue of problems in Trowbridge, including street drinking, retail crime, criminal damage, public disorder and anti-social behaviour involving young people.
Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Council are preparing to launch a consultation on a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which would hand officers and enforcement teams new powers to tackle behaviour that residents, businesses and visitors say is blighting the town centre.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Gemma Rutter said the force was exploring the order as part of a wider effort to address persistent problems affecting the community.
She said: "We know that anti-social behaviour in the town centre has a significant impact on residents, shoppers and local businesses, and we are working closely with our partners at Wiltshire Council to identify the most effective long-term solutions.
"One avenue being explored is a PSPO which, if introduced, would provide officers with additional powers to proactively target anti-social behaviour within a designated area."
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Police say one of the key issues causing concern is street drinking.
If the order is introduced, officers would be able to require people causing, or likely to cause, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour to surrender alcohol in their possession.
Anyone who refuses to do so could be committing an offence and face a fine or prosecution.
Sgt Rutter said the proposed powers could also help officers tackle drug-related activity, retail crime, public order offences and criminal damage.
The move has been backed by Trowbridge Town Council, which said it has been pushing for a PSPO to be enforced in the town for several years.
Stuart Legg, the council's director of estates, assets and operational services, said residents had repeatedly raised concerns about issues ranging from street drinking and begging to groups of youths causing anti-social behaviour.
He said: "The PSPO is something the town council's Street Safety Committee have been actively pursuing for a number of years.
"The town council wants Trowbridge to be a friendly and inviting place for visitors and residents to enjoy.
"The PSPO will give the police the power to take action on a range of behaviours and, when enforced, we believe this will help to reduce anti-social behaviour.
"Over the years, residents have raised many concerns with us, ranging from street drinking and begging to groups of youths causing anti-social behaviour.
"These concerns are a key reason we have kept pushing for this."
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Wiltshire Council's director for waste, health and safety and public protection Sarah Valdus said details of the proposed order and a public consultation were being finalised.
She added the PSPO could also place restrictions on activities such as possessing or displaying drug-related paraphernalia in circumstances giving rise to reasonable suspicion of drug misuse, public urination and defecation, and public exposure.
“We are in the process of finalising details of a proposed PSPO for Trowbridge town centre and the accompanying consultation, which is expected to get underway very soon,” she explained.
“Once the consultation has concluded and the results analysed, a decision will be made on whether to formally introduce the PSPO.
“A PSPO is authorised by the local authority and provides police and council enforcement officers with additional tools and powers to address persistent anti-social behaviour that negatively affects local communities.
“Existing PSPOs are already in place in other areas of Wiltshire, including Salisbury and Devizes.”
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