PEOPLE who are caught urinating and defecating in public, consuming alcohol on the streets, begging, bin raiding and spitting on pavements will be subject to a fines of up to £1,000 as a crackdown on bad behaviour comes into force this month.

Beginning on Tuesday, November 26, a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will be introduced in Middlesbrough's TS1 postcode covering much of the town centre.

The order, which will allow Middlesbrough Council to charge offenders set fines anywhere between £25 and £50, will also permit the council to prosecute those who refuse to pay the fine.

The Northern Echo:

The Public Space Protection Order, which was first announced during informal consultations in June earlier this year, was overwhelming supported by almost 94 percent of those asked during a formal consultation in July.

A similar Public Space Protection Order had been launched in Darlington in March as a deterrent to disorderly conduct, alcohol-related offending and street begging.

Several months after its launch, Darlington Borough Council councillors claimed the protection order had been a 'great success' and that there had been a 'significant' reduction in anti-social behaviour in the town.

Councillor Jonathan Dulston said the order contributed to making Darlington a 'more attractive' and 'safer' place to work, live and visit.

But from the end of the month on Teesside, the order in Middlesbrough will also give the council the power to issue fines to those caught cycling on pavements and failing to pick up dog waste.

The Northern Echo:

Speaking ahead of its launch, Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "Months of work is coming to a conclusion and what we will see when our new Street Wardens come in will be bad behaviour being punished. We are determined to do even more to help vulnerable people get their lives on track, at the same time we will not tolerate bad behaviour."

As part of the order, those who offend will be taken to court as a 'last resort' if payment for the original fine is not received within two weeks of its issue.

The council said those who are hauled before Magistrates' could face fines of up to £1,000 for non-payment.

Mr Preston said the new order would be part of a number of scheduled changes which are being introduced to tackle anti-social behaviour in Middlesbrough.

As a result, the town's Street Warden service is set to increase with 24 wardens being recruited into the roles.

Street Wardens and Neighbourhood Safety Officers are also set to be trained in issuing the Fixed Penalty Notices and will wear body-worn CCTV cameras.

The council also said two Community Enforcement Vehicles have been deployed patrolling Middlesbrough's streets.