Police drink and drug powers up for review
CONSULTATION ON RIGHT TO CONFISCATE – USED 196 TIMES IN ONE MONTH ALONE
POLICE used powers to confiscate alcohol or substances from people causing a nuisance in Leicester 196 times in one month.
The figure, for May, was revealed by the city council, which also said that between January 2018 and January 2020, police in central Leicester alone used Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) to tackle alcohol or substance-fuelled anti-social behaviour on 573 occasions.
Of these, 419 were around the Clock Tower and in nearby streets.
PSPOs give the police the power to confiscate alcohol or substances from people who are causing a nuisance in a public place. They can be arrested if they fail to comply with the request.
Breaching the PSPO can result in fines of up to £500 for public drinking, or up to £1,000 for using substances including psychoactive drugs.
Now, Leicester City Council is asking people to give their opinions on the problem, and whether they think the PSPO in the city should continue.
In 2017, the city council got a PSPO to deal with issues including anti-social behaviour caused by street drinking and the use of drugs such as spice.
The order was granted for a maximum term of three years and is due to be reviewed.
The public is being asked whether the measure is “appropriate, proportionate or even necessary”.
The existing PSPO covers the whole city, including areas of parks that cross into the county.
Deputy mayor for regulatory services Councillor Piara Singh Clair said: “The order that was granted in 2017 has given us a valuable tool to tackle anti-social behaviour and other problems caused by public use of alcohol and psychoactive drugs.
“However, these orders can only be made for a maximum of three years, meaning we will soon have to look to renew the order.
“As part of that we want to hear people’s views.
“The use of PSPOs is a much quicker and simpler way for the police to deal with alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour, which consumes less time and resources than them making arrests for drunk and disorderly behaviour or public order offences.
“We would very much like to see their use continue over the coming years, but it is vital we hear from people in the city before making that decision.”
People will be able to give their opinions in an online consultation, which runs until November 15.