A CRACKDOWN on aggressive begging, street drinking and using drugs is set to take place in Poole town centre.

The council is looking at plans to place a new Public Space Protection Order in areas of the town centre.

It could see a ban on begging, street drinking and drug usage in areas such as Poole High Street.

If approved any offenders caught breaking the order would face a fine.

Ian Cooke, safer communities manager at Borough of Poole, said: “We are currently exploring placing a Public Spaces Protection order onto areas of Poole Town, to allow us to combat anti-social behaviour issues such as on-street drinking, drug use, shoplifting and aggressive begging which have been causing concern for residents and traders. No decisions about what will be included in the order have yet been made.”

Any order for the town centre is still in the discussion stage -

with businesses in the area being asked to give their views on what anti-social behaviour the order should cover.

However, a council spokesman has said that there would need to be evidence that the behaviour has caused a nuisance - such as street drinking.

The council says it will be seeking residents’ views later this year.

Two similar orders are already in place in the Parkstone area of the borough.

The first order, covering Ashley Road from the junctions with Loch Road and Uppleby Road, bans anyone in the area from drinking alcohol or having an open bottle or can, or begging.

In Alexandra Park an order prohibits not only drinking alcohol, but also littering and graffiti. Dog owners are also required to clean up after their pet.

Police and council officers enforce the orders, which will stay in place for three years. Anyone breaking the law will get a £100 fixed penalty notice, and even face prosecution if they fail to pay the fine.

But some councillors have expressed concerns that a Public Space Protection Order will not stop the problems but just move them elsewhere.

Cllr Andy Hadley, who represents the town centre ward, said: “Street begging is an increasing problem in Poole, as elsewhere. Many people don’t like being asked for money in the street, whether by charity organisations, musicians of variable quality, or beggars.

“But I am concerned that the exclusion zone will shift the problem out to district centres. These people need help out of their situation.

“There is good work done both by charities and the council, I would prefer the energy being put into that.”