Ban on street drinking in Yeovil town centre

The town centre has been subject to a public space protection order (PSPO) since October 2019, giving the police and local authority powers to stop people from drinking in public if requested.

Since the order was implemented, South Somerset District Council has received numerous reports of anti-social behaviour at the nearby Wyndham Hill, which is accessible by public footpath.

The council’s district executive committee voted on Thursday morning (October 7) to extend the PSPO to cover the western side of Wyndham Hill in a bid to stamp out these reports and make life easier for residents and businesses.

Wyndham Hill lies between the A30 Sherborne Road (near the Aldi supermarket) and Yeovil Golf Club, and provides visitors with a view over the entire town.

The site is accessible by a public right of way which runs from Newton Road in the west to Yeovil Pen Mill railway station in the east.

Paul Huntington, the council’s compliance and enforcement specialist, told the committee that the PSPO had caused some of the unwanted activity to be displaced to Wyndham Hill from the town centre.

He said in his written report: “The existence and enforcement of the PSPO has had some positive impact on behaviour within the defined PSPO area.

“However, this has had the unintentional impact of displacing some of the unwanted anti-social behaviour outside the defined area.

“The evidence gathered has identified 72 alcohol related incidents in between January and July (inclusive) 2021, and this behaviour is concentrated in the Wyndham Hill area of the Yeovil Country Park, Newton Road, Ivel Court and along Sherborne Road.

“This behaviour is causing problems for business and residents in this area.”

To combat this displacement, the committee has agreed to extend the PSPO between Newton Road and the top of Wyndham Hill – but not the eastern side leading to the railway station.

Mr Huntington said the PSPO could be extended to cover this area if further evidence of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity emerged.

The PSPO requires anyone to cease drinking and surrender vessels containing alcohol when requested to do so by either a police office or a council official.

Mr Huntington said Avon and Somerset Constabulary will be leading the enforcement efforts, adding: “They have the experience and the equipment.

“Any fixed penalty notices will be issued by us based on information given to us by the police.

“We are looking to try and go out there to do some joint patrols to support the police in their efforts because their resources are also stretched and limited.”

Councillor Peter Gubbins, portfolio holder for the Yeovil Refresh town centre regeneration scheme, added: “We have had problems moved down towards the bottom end of town, particularly from the drinking point of view.

“I passed the former Western Gazette offices yesterday morning [October 6], and there were three people lying on the steps drinking. That is the entrance to a considerable number of flats, and it is causing major problems along there.

“There are people sitting in their doorways over the other side of the road drinking as well, and from a public point of view it’s not good.”

The council will be shelling out £280 for six new signs advertising the PSPO in this part of the town.