Suffolk council approves public consultation on an extension of police’s ability ability to act on drunk and disorderly cases

A Suffolk council has approved public consultation on a three-year extension of the police’s ability to act on drunk and disorderly cases.

Requested by Suffolk Constabulary, the consultation relates to the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering alcohol consumption in designated public places.

The current order, expiring on November 18, enables police to confiscate alcohol, prosecute, and fine anyone who is causing a nuisance in a public space and refuses to stop drinking when requested to do so.

Cllr Neil MacDonald, the Ipswich Borough Council leader, said: “It has been very helpful for the police in terms of tackling anti-social behaviour.

“Extending the existing PSPO will not affect those considerately enjoying a drink in a public area or park.”

Despite Cllr MacDonald’s assurance that both Suffolk Police and the council are in favour of extending the order, there was some scepticism from within the executive.

During Tuesday’s executive meeting, Cllr Ian Fisher stressed the need for the consultation to include data from before the current PSPO was implemented in order to establish its effect.

Current data released by Suffolk Constabulary only shows alcohol-related antisocial behaviour incidents between July 2020 and April 2023, at 391 total such episodes.

Cllr Fisher added: “I’m not against PSPOs in principle but I don’t want to restrict people’s freedoms as much as possible.

“I don’t think that we can really make an informed decision as to whether we should extend this PSPO without seeing a comparison.

“My argument is that if they’re causing a nuisance, and are drunk and disorderly, then there are already laws the police can use to deal with this issues.”

Nevertheless, Cllr John Cook, the portfolio holder for communities and sport, believes the PSPO has been an important tool to enable the police to “deal with alcohol related disorder in our town”.

He added: “Residents and businesses now have an opportunity to have their say on a further three-extension to the Order, and I’d encourage them to back it.”

The public consultation period will open from August 15 and last until September 9.