COLCHESTER Council is set to extend a Public Space Protection Order which outlaws anti-social behaviour in the city centre.
The legislation is due to expire on October 23 but town hall documents have revealed officials plan to renew it for another three years.
The rules ban behaviour which has a “detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality”.
Defined activities outlawed by the council include people begging for money, being intoxicated and causing a nuisance, being intimidating and verbally abusive and using skateboards.
Rules - Colchester Council is set to extend a Public Space Protection Order covering the city centre (Image: Newsquest)
The PSPO also forbids the stationing of advertising boards on the streets of the city centre.
Colchester Council’s cabinet is expected to announce it will be extending the rules until October 2026 when it meets on Wednesday evening.
The authority’s leader David King said: “It is essential that we give the police and their partners, including our own staff, the powers they need.
“These powers help them to act swiftly and proportionately to the criminal and anti-social issues every city can have.
Determined - Colchester Council leader David King
“We have a duty to follow through on our promises to residents to address poor behaviour wherever we see it.
“This extension is an important enable for all we do together.”
Mr King said the PSPO will allow the police and council staff to move on people who are behaving “inappropriately”.
They can also dish out fines while the police can seize vehicles being driven anti-socially.
Rubber-stamped - the PSPO renewal will be confirmed in the town hall on Wednesday (Image: Newsquest)
The rules cover as far west as the Lexden Crown pub and as far east as the Ipswich Road roundabout.
“The difference this makes is it enables the council and its partners to act quickly and know they have the authority to respond to events,” added Mr King.
Under the PSPO, urinating or defecating anywhere other than a toilet will lead to a fine, as well as being in possession of drugs.
Rules banning advertising boards have long been controversial with business owners in the city centre, but they will remain in place.
Firms could also be financially punished if they flout this order.
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