A CLAMPDOWN on anti-social behaviour and drinking in Workman Gardens has been extended to cover all of Evesham’s riverside.
The new three-year Public Spaces Protection Order or PSPO for all the open spaces along the river in Workman Gardens, Waterside Gardens, Abbey Park, Crown Meadow, Viaduct Meadow and Corporation Meadow has come into effect after a backing from council chiefs and a successful public consultation.
Local police officers and Wychavon’s Community Wardens will be able to confiscate alcohol and issue fixed penalty notices to anyone found breaching the policy.
The proposed order will not affect events for which licences for alcohol are granted and could be renewed for a further three years when it expires in 2021.
Evesham’s Safer Neighbourhood Team welcomed the new order and said: “This now means absolutely no alcohol is allowed at these locations. The order also covers public urination and defecation.”
Those caught flouting the order could even face a court apperance to answer criminal charges.
The new order replaces the former booze ban for Workman Gardens which had been in place since April 2015 following endless complaints of bad behaviour blighting the area.
Issues such as damage to boats, excessive noise, urinating and defecating in the shrub areas, jumping in the River Avon when drunk and requiring rescue were examples of some of the more serious incidents which have occurred.
Council chiefs approved the an enlarged banning area after hearing how the initial order had minimised the problem drinking and bad behaviour in Workman Gardens but had seen those responsible move to Abbey Park on the other side of the river.
“They have caused problems there by becoming so drunk they lay inert on the grass near the children’s play area to the distress of other park users and caused the emergency services to attend. Drinkers often dominate the use of seats by the War Memorial or the Lily Pool,” the report added.
Officers also warned councillors the two Green Flags currently awarded to Workman Gardens and Abbey Park may be in jeopardy if the council failed to take action to tackle the problem.
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