A crackdown on begging, urinating in the street and use of intoxicating substances is set to be enforced in Durham.

Councillors will consider a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour in the city. If agreed, the public will then be asked to have their say on the plans. 

The proposals have been drawn up in partnership with Durham Constabulary ahead of a meeting next week. 

In 2023, dozens of local businesses and market traders backed a call to introduce a city centre order to ban nuisance begging and anti-social behaviour. Up to 80 Market Hall and outdoor traders in Durham city centre urged the local authority to enforce an order due to the “direct and adverse effect” incidents are having on trade in the city. 

A letter signed by the traders on behalf of Durham Markets Company said nuisance begging in the Market Place is disruptive to trade as it discourages the buying public from entering nearby premises. They claim open air drinking, fuelled by drugs, is causing people to shop elsewhere. 

The statement said: “We are increasingly concerned that Durham will, as it is now already starting to, become a focal point for nuisance begging and will escalate further. The resulting anti-social behaviour not only puts our staff, traders and members of the public at risk with market staff having to be on constant alert.”

The local authority previously considered imposing a PSPO to curb people begging in a threatening or intimidating way but agreed to withdraw the plans in February 2023. A public consultation on the practice, which includes following people or begging near a cash machine or bus stop, provided a mixed response as to whether it was needed.

Nearly 60 per cent of respondents ‘agreed’ or’ strongly agreed’ that a PSPO would be an effective way to control aggressive begging in the city, though many felt that more support should be given to prevent homelessness and dependencies.

A PSPO already exists in Durham City to control alcohol consumption but the council has now revisited a more detailed order. 

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Cllr John Shuttleworth, the council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “When we looked at a PSPO to control aggressive begging two years ago there was not enough evidence to support making an order. However, we said at the time we would continue to monitor the situation.

“Durham Constabulary has now put forward information and we have listened and officers have brought forward new proposals.”

A consultation is due to take place between May and June.