THURROCK residents are being asked whether they agree with Thurrock Council plans for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for central Grays to deal with anti- social behaviour linked to street drinking.
The consultation – available through the ‘Have my say’ button on the home page of the council’s website (thurrock.gov.uk) – runs until midnight on Friday 10 March.
If approved, the orders restrictions would apply to public places within the area north of Argent Street, west of Stanley Road and Sherfield Road and east of Seally Road, Bruce’s Wharf Road and the junction of Maidstone Road and the A126 Eastern Way.
The aim of the order is to support the Police with powers to tackle anti-social behaviour from people drinking alcohol or consuming any intoxicating substances. This will particularly be used when people have been told to stop by an authorised officer after being abusive or behaving in a way which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
People – and businesses – are being asked whether they think street drinkers in the area cause alarm or distress; when they think it happens; where the situation is of concern; whether the proposed PSPO area covers the right streets and if they think it is necessary at all.
Cllr Sue MacPherson, the council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “We all visit Grays at some point, whether it is because we work there, live there, or just pop in for some shopping.
“That’s why it is important for as many people as possible to take part in this consultation – it affects us all.
“Street drinking affects us all and if this is agreed both the police and the council’s enforcement officers can take action and issue fines.
“It is an exciting time to be in Thurrock – Grays especially. There is a lot of planned regeneration in Grays, but if we aren’t getting the basics right then we have a problem.
“Local businesses and residents have told us the high street is looking more tidy, which is really welcomed – now it’s time to talk about whether street drinking is appropriate. We will look at the results and come up with a plan depending on what we’re told.”
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Close the source of the on street drinking (pub) and stop all street drinking (make supermarkets and off licenses more aware who they are selling to) and make the punishments harsh enough to make it easy to police, then you might just cleanse the streets of some of Grays unwashed and unwanted as well as the littering and urinating in our streets.