PUBLIC consultation is currently underway on the renewal of a borough wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) giving Council officers the authority to confiscate alcohol from those drinking in public.

The PSPO, which is up for renewal in October 2023, is a product of legislation that was first introduced in October 2014 as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which gave local authorities the power to regulate activities in public places that could have detrimental effects on residents in the community.

These measures can help by giving local councils and local police additional powers to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in specified locations.

This PSPO gives the police and authorised Council officers the authority to confiscate alcohol from any person who is drinking alcohol in a public place and is causing, or likely to cause, ASB, disorder, nuisance, or annoyance to members of the public.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, Councillor Christine Warner said: "We would like to hear your views on the Public Space Protection Order renewal for alcohol consumption and welcome feedback from all our residents, businesses, visitors and partners.

"This feedback is really important for us to understand how Anti-Social Behaviour associated with street drinking harms our communities and and understand people’s views on the measures in place to control street drinking."

The consultation will be running over an eight-week period from Tuesday, June 27 until Monday, August 21.

There are several ways you can take part and share your views:

• Complete the survey online at: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/UM8FAO/

• Email views to: community.safety@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

• Telephone: 01244 973708, quoting ‘Alcohol PSPO Consultation’

• Write to: Cheshire West and Chester Council, Alcohol PSPO consultation, Public Protection Service – Community Safety, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA.

• Request a copy of the consultation in alternative formats, including paper and easy read, using the above contact details.