Purpose

There is an ongoing issue of persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB), rowdy conduct, public intoxication, and public urination/defecation in the Margate, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate areas. These behaviours negatively impact local businesses, diminish the visitor experience, and pose public health risks.

Following the expiration of previous orders and a subsequent pause due to legal challenges, multi-agency partners have reported increased difficulty in managing alcohol-related disorder. A statutory four-week public consultation was carried out between 1 May 2026 and 1 June 2026, receiving overwhelming community and partner support for the reintroduction of a targeted legal toolbox to address these issues.

Decision

Cabinet agreed the following:

1. To give full consideration to the results of statutory consultation, the results of which are attached at annexes 12 and 13, in relation to the proposed PSPO;
2. To consider the evidence base for a PSPO detailed in the statements attached to this report at Annexes 3,4,5,6 and 7;
3. To approve the PSPO as drafted and attached to this report at Annex 1;
4. That the PSPO shall be implemented with effect from 1 July 2026 in the proposed restricted areas as set out in the maps which appear within the proposed order attached to this report at Annex 1.

Reasons for the decision

Statutory Thresholds Met: Evidence from residents, businesses, and law enforcement confirms that the detrimental activities are persistent, unreasonable, and directly damage the community's quality of life.

Proportionate Early Intervention: The PSPO acts as a vital preventative tool, granting community safety officers and police the legal authority to seize alcohol or issue Fixed Penalty Notices (£100) before low-level friction escalates into serious violence.

Overwhelming Public Mandate: The public consultation returned a 96.5% consensus in support of alcohol restrictions and a 97.58% approval rate for the public bodily fluids ban. Full, unreserved support was also granted by the local Chief Inspector of Police and the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner.

Alternative options considered

1.  Relying on Individual Injunctions or CPWs/CPNs: These alternative enforcement methodologies were rejected because they are highly resource-intensive, require naming specific individuals, and fail to efficiently address transient populations or multi-offender groups. A PSPO correctly attaches to the geographical space rather than changing faces.

2.  Altering or Extending the Defined Map Boundaries: Consultation responses suggested expanding restrictions to areas like Dane Park or Westgate-on-Sea. These extensions were rejected at this time because current boundaries match strict evidential hotspots. However, the framework allows boundaries to be actively reviewed and modified if displacement patterns justify future changes.

3.  Taking No Action: Discounted as it would leave field teams without the immediate legal powers to confiscate alcohol, causing further deterioration of public safety, negative trade margins, and unmanaged public health risks.