Beggars 'to be banned' from Colchester town centre if controversial order gets green light

The proposal to remove beggars has been put forward by Colchester Council and is just one of several restrictions bosses think will fight anti-social behaviour in the town. 

The order will also see some advertising boards banned from public places, along with greater restrictions on drinking, drug use and people distributing literature in the town centre.

The council says the restrictions are in response to an increasing number of complaints being made to the authority and to the police.

A council spokesman said: “The proposal aims to ensure people visiting or working in the town centre can go about their business without being subjected to activities that have a detrimental effect on their quality of life, including intimidating behaviour.”

Anyone breaching the terms of the order would be ordered to leave the area - which takes in the town centre, as well as Castle Park, Riverside Walk and East Hill - as well as potentially be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100.

Mike Lilley (Lab), Colchester Council’s portfolio holder for safer communities and licensing, insisted the council were not targeting people begging on the streets and said the authority remained committed to helping those in need.

He said: “We have had lot of complaints about anti-social behaviour which has escalated in the last two months.

“Beggars around cash machines have been intimidating people, drinkers and drug users have been abusing public spaces.

“We don’t want people begging on our streets.

"They should be engaging with the council and working with us to help re-home them.

“The PSPO is not about banning people. It’s about giving greater legal powers to police and the authorities.”

Mr Lilley also confirmed the council would look into the wider problem of drinking on the streets.

He added: “We will be looking into off-licences and small shops who are selling strong alcoholic drinks in the daytime to people who need help.”

Tim Young, Colchester Council deputy leader, said: “This is not about restricting the ability of people to enjoy themselves – we’re consulting on the proposals of this PSPO, having given a great deal of consideration to the ways we can improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to the town centre.

“If adopted, this PSPO will begin to effect the kind of meaningful behavioural change we all want to see taking place among a minority of people who unfortunately engage in persistent anti-social behaviour in the town centre – people whom we will also continue to help access information and services that can assist and support them to find a new life off the streets.”

Members of the public are invited to make their submissions about the proposals during a two-week consultation period which started yesterday.

Anyone wishing to give their views on the plans should visit Colchester Council’s and the Safer Colchester Partnership’s websites.