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Proposals have been put forward to extend a no-drinking zone in Sittingbourne to combat anti-social behaviour.
Swale council is asking for people’s opinions on public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) that outline how it manages certain problem areas and tries to improve community safety.
The authority is proposing to increase the boundary of the Sittingbourne PSPO to include the West Lane area, from the council offices down to Aldi.
A spokesman said: “This is due to elevated levels of alcohol consumption and associated anti-social behaviour in the area.”
Currently it stretches from the railway station to the cemetery in Capel Road, and from Park Road to South Avenue.
Sheerness and Leysdown town centres are already subject to alcohol control orders and no changes are proposed for these, although there are calls for the one in Faversham to be relaxed.
Breaches of the PSPOs, which have been in place since 2017, could result in a fixed penalty notice or an arrest and conviction to a fine of up to £1,000.
Three types of orders are being looked at as part of Swale council’s review – alcohol, dog control and gating restrictions.
The alcohol control order restricts drinking in green spaces and streets, dog controls encourage owners to keep control of their pet, clean up after it and adhere to dog exclusion zones, and the gating control restricts access to alleyways.
The gating order restriction in Galway Road/Winstanley Road, Sheerness and dog control measures are proposed to remain the same and be extended for a further three years.
Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community at the council, said: “The aim of the protection orders is to create a safe and welcoming environment for everybody.
“The orders are already in place and help us manage anti-social behaviour alongside the police, to protect people who live, work and visit our seafronts and town centres.
“We are proposing some changes to the boundaries in Sittingbourne and Faversham, however everything else remains the same as they have been since the orders were introduced three years ago.”
He added: “We review the orders every three years and it’s important to us that we ask local people for their opinion.”
The consultation is running until Monday, August 31.
For more, visit swale.gov.uk/consultations-2
