Anti-social behaviour crackdown comes into force

Measures aiming to clamp down on anti-social behaviour in a Surrey town have taken effect.

Woking Borough Council's public spaces protection order (PSPO) comes into force on Wednesday and is set to last three years - unless extended, changed or removed.

The order gives police increased powers to curb street drinking, intimidating and threatening behaviour and people using face coverings to cause fear.

Breaking it can mean being convicted of an offence and receiving a fine, the local authority has said.

Councillor Steve Greentree said the PSPO would help "maintain and strengthen safety in our town centre".

"With the darker autumn evenings now here, [it will] provide additional reassurance for everyone who lives, works or visits Woking."

Speaking before the PSPO was implemented, councillor Chris Martin said "residents clearly want action".

"But these are significant powers that restrict behaviour in public places and can feel a bit heavy-handed if they are not carefully managed," he added.

The PSPO covers the area between Victoria Road, Chertsey Road, Stanley Road and Heathside Crescent, south of Woking Railway Station.

Councillor Greentree said people will be able to see new signage outlining where the restrictions now apply.

Surrey Police said in an earlier report there had been numerous reports of problems in the town centre, primarily caused by a "heavily intoxicated" group drinking alcohol and shoplifting.

"Potential customers were put off going... because of the gatherings," the report said.

A past consultation found 80% of the 362 respondents backed the new measures, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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