New measures planned to tackle anti-social behaviour in Woking town centre
Public space protection order aims to curb street drinking and intimidation
Woking Borough Council is set to review a proposal for a public space protection order (PSPO) in Woking town centre, aiming to address ongoing issues with street drinking and intimidation.
The PSPO follows a six-week consultation that revealed strong local support, with 80 per cent of participants in favour of the measures.
Surrey Police provided evidence of crime and anti-social behaviour that has been impacting businesses, primarily attributed to a group engaging in alcohol consumption and shoplifting during late afternoons and early evenings.
Businesses reported a decline in customers avoiding the area due to these gatherings.
The proposed PSPO will provide enhanced powers to police and council officers to tackle issues such as street drinking, intimidating behaviour, and the use of face coverings to conceal identities.
Councillor Steve Greentree, portfolio holder for community, emphasised the benefits of the order, saying it would support local businesses and improve visitor experiences in Woking’s town centre.
The PSPO, if passed by the full council, could be in place for three years, with ongoing monitoring to assess any displacement of problem behaviour.
Councillor Ian Johnson, portfolio holder for housing, noted the success of a similar order in Mount Hermon in reducing anti-social issues and expressed surprise at the need for additional powers to improve safety in the town.