A new order which will clamp down on anti-social behaviour is being introduced in Barking Town Centre.

The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which went live today (Monday 19 March), will cover behaviour such as drinking alcohol in a public place, to spitting, begging, and urinating. The PSPO will target those engaging in behaviour which causes residents and other users of the area harassment, alarm or distress.

The order means council enforcement officers and the police will have new powers to hand out £100 fixed penalty notices on the spot.

The maximum fine for breaching a PSPO after conviction is £1,000 with the possibility of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

We are committed to tackling all forms of anti-social behaviour across the borough

Councillor Laila Butt, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said:

“We consulted with residents and businesses and there was an overwhelming appetite for action in the town centre and surrounding areas.

“We are committed to tackling all forms of anti-social behaviour across the borough. We want to make it clear to the small minority who make people’s lives a misery that we will not stand for it.”

Barking and Dagenham Council already has a similar scheme in Broad Street in Dagenham and is currently consulting on one in and around Dagenham Heathway.