Police granted extra powers against Norwich street drinking

City Hall has voted in favour of expanding a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which allows officers to confiscate alcohol from drinkers in public spaces.

The alcohol PSPO was implemented for the city centre in 2021 to tackle anti-social behaviour related to drinking but will now be in force across the whole of Norwich as the issue is "still prevalent".

Breaches can result in a penalty of up to £100 and will now be issued in areas including Catton Grove, Mile Cross, Earlham, Bowthorpe, Eaton and Lakenham.

While the measures do not prohibit public drinking, they allow officers to confiscate alcohol from people who are littering, making too much noise, urinating in public or being verbally and physically abusive. 

Police will crack down on littering across Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

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Martin Schmierer, Green councillor for Mancroft, said: "This is an important tool for the police and it's not as draconian as some believe.

"It is often just asking people to pour away their alcohol and is really quite a light touch compared to laws elsewhere."

Green councillor Martin Schmierer (Image: Martin Schmierer)

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

The expanded PSPO will be in place for the next three years and aims to tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour outside the city centre, such as in student areas. 

The measures will allow police officers to confiscate alcohol from people if they are causing, or might cause, anti-social behaviours. Fines may be issued if the drink is not surrendered. 

Officers can also issue warnings to drinkers which instruct them not to consume alcohol in a public place for a week due to causing a public nuisance. 

Littering in Prince of Wales Road (Image: Neil Perry)

Norwich City Council carried out a public consultation to help locate the areas with high levels of littering, noise and violence related to alcohol consumption. 

Most hotspots were identified close to the city centre in locations such as Pottergate and St Benedicts Street, as well as Oak Street and Prince of Wales Road. 

There were also reports of anti-social behaviour in Clover Hill and Thorpe Hamlet.

The new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covers the entire Norwich city area (Image: Norwich City Council)

'OVERSTEPPING THE MARK'

The consultation also identified concerns among local people that this would give "too much power to police" and was "overstepping the mark of control". 

However, the updated scheme is widely supported by councillors and the cabinet voted unanimously in favour of its implementation at a recent meeting. 

Police officers on duty in Prince of Wales Road (Image: Neil Perry)

Caroline Ackroyd, Lib Dem councillor for Eaton, said she was aware of anti-social behaviour problems at Eaton Park, which she hoped could be tackled under these new measures. 

She said: "It's important that people feel secure in public spaces and we want Norwich to be safe.

"I would hope that the police use these measures in a non-draconian way and don't think it will be an infringement on civil liberties.

"I'm sure the police will use their new powers in the right way."

Lib Dem councillor Caroline Ackroyd (Image: Caroline Ackroyd)

Beth Jones, Labour councillor for the university ward, said: "When you address a problem in one area it often shifts elsewhere so this will allow us to take a broader approach.

"This is about ensuring that we have a safe city where people feel they can walk around and not be concerned, and keeping Norwich as a pleasant place to live."