Dear Resident

The Police in Atherstone have been given new powers to tackle drink and drug-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

North Warwickshire Borough Council approved a three-year public space protection order, also known as a PSPO that gives both police and authorised council officers increased powers to deal with street drinking and drug abuse.

The PSPO makes it a criminal offence to refuse to surrender alcohol or intoxicating substances such as nitrous oxide, or to refuse an instruction to leave the designated area for a set period. Offenders could face arrest or a fine of up to £1000. The move has been welcomed by businesses in the town centre after complaints about adults drinking in various locations and causing ASB.

Signage went up over the weekend of the 26-27 April 2025.

The public response so far has been positive.