DRUNKS behaving badly at two of Colchester’s renowned anti-social hotspots are set to be slapped with £100 fines.

Colchester Council wants to use new powers, under the Anti- Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, to rid the town of the problem once and for all.

The council is looking to use public space protection orders (PSPOs) at St Botolph’s Priory and roundabout to stop drunks congregating there.

For years residents, shoppers and traders have complained about the anti-social behaviour with police called to deal with issues regularly.

The orders allow the council to deal with alcoholrelated behaviour deemed to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life in the local community.

If the yobs don’t move on, the police or accredited council worker are able to give them fixed penalty notices.

If they don’t pay, they face prosecution and even bigger costs and fines.

Shoppers and traders in the area welcomed the news with caution.

Faye Hamilton, events manager at Serenity Brides in St Botolph’s Street, said: “We did have an incident a little while ago where one of the members of staff was pushed into the shop window by a drunk man walking past.

“We have fag butts and beer cans and every so often sick up the windows.

“I hope it works because this tends to be the end of town where it affects us the most.

“Some of them are homeless and whether they would be able to pay or not is another thing, but it would be worth a go.

“I would love to see it make a difference.”

Ron Levy, who owns the Colchester Barber Shop at St Botolph’s Circus, said he was not convinced the fines or threat of prosecution would be the answer to solving the area’s problems.

He said: “I have been there for over 20 years and we have seen it all.

“Periodically sitting around the roundabout are two to three police cars all at three points and they round up the drunks who are in the recreational area in the middle and move them on.

“If they are picking up people who are drunk, a fine might be a good deterrent, but I would suggest the majority of people who are alcoholics have no money.

“Even if it went as far as a prosecution, you get into the realms of high costs, which might not be recovered.

“I applaud the efforts to try to do something, but when the police move them on, it works.”

Jess Foxley, 19 and who uses the roundabout underpasses to get to her home in Mersea Road, said: “I don’t like going through there anymore. I hope this would work, but I don’t think it would.”

Julie Ashcroft, 56, also uses the underpasses and said: “They aren’t going to be able to afford £100 and if you move them on, they are going to go somewhere else.

“I don’t know what the solution is really.”

Tim Young, councillor responsible for community safety, said: “I’m really pleased this proposed order has progressed because St Botolph’s has been identified as an area that requires action."