BASILDON Council has launched a consultation regarding the implementation of a borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) prohibiting various types of anti-social behaviour (ASB).

A PSPO is a legal order to tackle ASB that would cover specific restricted areas within the borough, such as parks and town centres, and the breaching of it is a criminal offence which could be subject to a fine on prosecution (up to £1,000).

The activities that a potential PSPO would give authorised officers of the council powers to enforce, relate to alcohol and substance use, urination and defecation, pony and traps, and car cruising.

The purpose of the consultation is to get residents' experiences of each type of activity the PSPO would potentially prohibit, as well as determining the level of support for each prohibition.

Council leader and chairman of the public order and enforcement committee Cllr Andrew Baggott said: "A PSPO covering the borough would give us more powers to tackle the behaviour that we don't want to see in Basildon. The introduction of one is something I strongly support.

"Our enforcement teams and park wardens already do brilliant work across the borough, and the introduction of a PSPO would allow us to utilise and strengthen these resources to do even more to make our borough a nicer place to live.

"We want the opinions of as many residents as possible, so we can determine the level of support for each aspect of the potential PSPO. Please complete the consultation and tell us your views and experiences."

To complete the consultation, visit: www.basildon.gov.uk/PSPOconsultation.

The consultation is open to anyone who lives, works, visits, represents local communities, has a business in, or owns land within the borough. It will last for six weeks and closes on Thursday, 20 January 2022.