BRITS will be banned from drinking booze at 20 seaside spots in a new crackdown that could see you hit with a £1,000 fine.
The new ban is part of extended measures to protect the environment and combat antisocial behaviour.
AlamyThe new orders will preserve “the natural beauty and tranquillity” of Studland Beach[/caption]
Dorset Council has confirmed the extension of a range of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) which last for three years.
The council said: “The PSPO’s aim to reduce anti-social behaviour and enhance community spaces for everyone to enjoy.”
Those extended for a further three years include bans on drinking booze in public spaces, aggressive begging and feeding of gulls.
The PSPO targets persistent anti-social behaviour that has a detrimental impact on others including possession, supply or use of intoxicating substances and the anti-social drinking of alcohol according to the council’s website.
In addition to the extensions, two new PSPOs have been introduced including a ban on camping at Studland Beach to “protect this sensitive coastal environment”.
Anyone caught camping on the beach overnight will face fines of up to £100.
An order forbidding the lighting of fires and barbecues had also been expanded to cover more areas of the county’s heathland and forests to prevent wildfires.
Councillor Gill Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Health and Housing at Dorset Council, said: “Renewing our existing PSPOs means continuing the important safeguards that have been in place for several years—protections our residents have told us they value.
“In addition to these renewals, we’re introducing two new Orders: one to help preserve the natural beauty and tranquillity of Studland Beach, and another to protect our rare heathland habitats, which are home to some of the UK’s most endangered wildlife.
“Dorset should be an enjoyable place for our residents and visitors alike. By working with our partners, these Orders help us to deal with a small minority of people who can spoil it for others.”
Breaking a PSPO is a criminal offence and you can be handed a £100 fixed penalty notice on the spot.
And if you don’t pay, you could be taken to court and fined a whopping £1,000.
The Dorset Council website says: “Issuing a fine is our last resort, where all other measures have not worked.”
Shaun Milton, Group Manager for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service welcomed the expanded fire-related restrictions, citing the devastating Wareham Forest fire in 2020 as a stark reminder of the risks posed by open flames in natural areas.
“We fully support these measures. Preventing fires before they start is the most effective way to protect lives, property, and the environment.”
Forestry England also endorsed the move, stating: “We’ve seen the damage that careless use of BBQs and campfires can cause. These new protections are a welcome step in preserving Dorset’s forests for future generations.”
Earlier this month, The Sun reported how one of Britain’s busiest beaches had announced a huge crackdown on anti-social behaviour as temperature’s skyrocketed.
Dorset Police revealed that it was deploying extra patrols around Bournemouth seafront as thousands were due to descend on its sandy beaches.
The increased security comes after a huge brawl broke out on the beach last month, with topless youths hurling glass at police officers.
A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was put in place for the coastline from Sandbanks to Highcliffe, and gave police the power to deal with people who were aggressive, urinating in public, swearing, playing loud music or lighting a BBQ between 7am and 6pm.
Officers also asked disruptive individuals to leave the beach, where necessary.
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