Norwich introduces city-wide PSPO to combat public drinking issues

What has been approved?

The approved PSPO covers the entire city council boundary and will be in place for the next three years. It is designed to tackle issues caused by drinking alcohol in public spaces. This order empowers police officers to:

• Ask individuals to stop drinking alcohol in public if their behaviour is causing or is likely to cause anti-social behaviour (ASB).
• Confiscate alcohol from individuals whose behaviour is anti-social, such as littering, causing noise disturbances, engaging in verbal or physical abuse, or public urination.

The order also outlines how Fixed Penalty Notices can be issued by city council for breaches, with potential prosecution possible if the penalty is not paid.

Impact on the community

Councillor Beth Jones portfolio holder for housing commented “It’s important to emphasise that the PSPO does not ban the consumption of alcohol in public spaces but specifically targets behaviour that is anti-social or a nuisance. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors by reducing incidents of ASB linked to public drinking.

The new PSPO ensures a consistent approach across the city, preventing ASB from merely relocating to different areas.”

Next steps

Norwich City Council and the police will work closely to implement and enforce the new PSPO. Community Safety teams will prioritise and dedicate resources to address the issues highlighted during the consultation.

For more information on the PSPO and its implementation please visit our dedicated webpage.