A PUBLIC consultation is now under way on proposals aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour, such as noisy groups of youths and abusive drinkers in Darlington town centre.

Darlington Borough Council announced in July that the authority is considering introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) – a measure enabling the police to deal with anti-social issues, particularly around the seating area near the Boot and Shoe pub and entrance to St Cuthbert’s Church yard.

The consultation into public views on the possible introduction of a PSPO began on Monday and will run for 12 weeks, closing at the end of November.

Once the consultation is complete, the council's cabinet will then decide whether or not to introduce a PSPO which could introduce fines of up to £1,000 for persistent offenders.

Graham Hall, the council’s head of community safety, said: “Anti-social behaviour in the town centre is something the public have told us is an important priority to crack down on.

“We want to make sure people feel safe coming into Darlington and to make the town centre as welcoming as it can be, so I would encourage people to give their views in this consultation.

“Examples of anti-social behaviour include begging and alcohol-related disorder.

“A PSPO is not simply a blanket ban on certain activities in a certain area.

"Instead, it is a positive measure that enables the police and other designated officers to deal more effectively with disorder, for example by confiscating alcohol from adults.”

Between April and June this year, police in Darlington received 142 complaints over matters such as youth and alcohol-related nuisance, in the town centre, and specifically near St Cuthbert’s Churchyard.

The council have proposed that the PSPO could be implemented for three years and would see police and council officers empowered to order people breaching the order to stop their behaviour, and hand out £100 fixed penalty notices if the behaviour continued.

Persistent failures to comply with instructions could lead to arrest and £1,000 fine at court.

A report to the authority’s cabinet states: “The police and council have taken action to address the particular problem with some success, however it is area where anti-social behaviour continues.”

For more information about the proposed PSPO and for details on how to make comments as part of the public consultation process for residents, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/consultations before late November.