PUBLIC Spaces Protection Orders are designed to tackle nuisances in a particular area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life.

This order, which will be brought in later this year, will grant council officers and police additional powers to clamp down on a range of anti-social behaviours in Bolton Town Centre.

READ MORE: New powers to rid the town centre of anti-social behaviour

It will cover drinking alcohol on the streets, taking drugs, begging on the street, peddling/ street trading, use of amplifiers, riding skateboards, scooters and bicycles, distribution of publicity materials, soliciting for money in the street, marking of surfaces.

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However there are exemptions in the order, for example to allow emergency workers to use bikes or if council permission has been obtained beforehand.

Once the order is in force, enforcement will be carried out by trained police and trained local authority officers.

The order will cover the town centre and surrounding areas including the Market Place Shopping Centre, the retail park on Trinity Street and up to Dean Road.

A Public Spaces Protection Orders lasts for three years and failure to comply with an order can result in a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 or prosecution.

However decisions to pursue enforcement action in the case of begging are based on individual circumstances such as health and income.

The full list of nuisances covered under the order is as follows:

  • Consumption of alcohol on street
  • Intoxicating substances
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Begging on the street
  • Peddling / street trading
  • Soliciting for money in the street (commercial)
  • Soliciting for money in the street (charity)
  • Distribution of publicity materials
  • Obstructing the highway
  • Marking of surfaces
  • Use of amplifiers 
  • Use of skateboards and scooters
  • Use of bicycles