Thanet District Council is set to roll out a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which will be in force for 3-years, to tackle a spate anti-social behaviour by the sea.
Margate and Ramsgate town centres will now have to endure a year-round blanket ban on the public consumption of alcohol, set to come into effect on Wednesday 1st July.
Areas of Margate, Cliftonville West, Ramsgate and Broadstairs will also see crackdowns on anti-social behaviour relating to alcohol and not handing over alcohol when required to do so.
The PSPO, which was approved last week, will tackle “alcohol-related disorder, public urination, and defecation” in the area, according to Thanet District Council.
Councillor Mike Garner said the decision to approve the ban was a “no-brainer”.
He said “It’s a very difficult issue. One PSPO or other law enforcements on their own don’t solve this, it’s a societal issue.”
While Labour MP for East Thanet, Polly Billington, said “It’s vital for our economy that people feel confident about keeping their doors open to their shop, and actually, for the wellbeing of our residents and our visitors that everybody feels safe.”
The restrictions have been implemented after a 30-day public consultation which received over 370 responses from residents, business, and community groups.
hose responses were considered alongside evidence from the council’s Community Safety team and the Kent Police.
The issue of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour has skyrocketed since last summer, the council says.
Shops were forced to close and remove alcohol from shelves amid reports of theft and attempts to purchase drinks using fake IDs just weeks ago.
Officers have now had to spend time “monitoring social media” for posts promoting gatherings that could spark further trouble.
Businesses in Kent confirmed they had been forced to close early due to anti-social behaviour.
