A SENIOR councillor has criticised his own administration for introducing a new town centre order “under the radar” saying it could inadvertently target vulnerable people.

Colchester Council has activated a new Public Space Protection Order covering the whole town centre.

The new legislation bans urinating, taking intoxicating substances, begging, fly-posting, distributing free literature, skateboards being used in pedestrian areas to cause a nuisance, intimidating behaviour and A-boards.

But former cabinet member Dominic Graham (Lib Dem) said the order would unintentionally affect homeless people and said he was concerned about council zone wardens taking on role of the police by handing out fines to people breaching the order.

He said: “I think PSPOs in general are like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

“This particular one will catch vulnerable people out and fine them money they cannot afford and there is no appeal process. It will also extend who is able to issue fixed penalty notices.

“The council has its own budget issues and should we be trying to take on more work from the police?

“There is a problem with anti-social behaviour in the town centre but do not think this is the solution.

“We have been told there is aggressive begging but I have not been presented with any evidence of it.

“This will punish people who are sat down with a cap in front of them.

“At the scrutiny panel meeting it was said vulnerable people were not the targets, but they are the people who will be impacted.”

Mr Graham also raised concerns about three separate issues of anti-social behaviour, A-boards and nuisance skateboarders being drawn together under one piece of legislation.

He said: “They are three separate issues and it does not make any sense for them all to be put together.”

The order was activated last week, without being debated by full council.

He said: “This is quite a big step to take and affects a large area. The final decision did not go to full council.

“Something this serious has been introduced under the radar a little bit.”

Colchester Council’s community safety boss Mike Lilley (Lab) said: “There was a perfect opportunity to go to the scrutiny panel meeting last month and give opinions.

“A cross-party committee of councillors agreed it was a good idea. At the same meeting we had a panel of experts who work closely with homeless people who said it will not target homeless people. It has a lot of support.

“The other cabinet members, including his Liberal Democrat colleagues, have agreed it.”

During a consultation into the plans, the scheme was also criticised by Colchester MP Will Quince and the Bishop of Colchester.