A NEW order to tackle people performing sexual acts, flashing and defecating in public spaces in Braintree has been implemented.
Braintree Council has revealed it has put in place a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in the town centre.
As of last Friday, following a period of consultation, the PSPO came into effect and will be in place for a period of three years, covering much of the town centre area.
PSPOs are used to tackle antisocial behaviours within a particular area by imposing restrictions on activities in that area which apply to everyone.
Failure to comply with a PSPO is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution which could lead upon conviction to a fine of up to £1,000 or a fixed penalty notice of £100.
PSPOs can be enforced by the police, council enforcement officers or any other authorised officers.
Braintree Council says it is working with Essex Police to enable the effective enforcement of the new PSPO.
It came into place after antisocial behaviour issues such as drunkenness leading to distress, nuisance or annoyance and aggressive begging.
Other issues include threatening, disorderly, abusive, aggressive and or unacceptable behaviour, carrying out sexual acts in public view, flashing intimate body parts, urinating and defecating in public view.
Following its implementation, Braintree Council said in a statement: "The Braintree Town Centre PSPO is now in effect to help combat ongoing antisocial behaviour in the town.
"We received 538 responses to our PSPO consultation held between July and August and 97 per cent of those responses supported the implementation of a PSPO.
"The PSPO will provide the police and council with additional powers to combat this antisocial behaviour in the town.
"The PSPO prohibits a range of antisocial behaviour including the consumption of alcohol, aggressive begging and engaging in behaviour that could be considered threatening, abusive, aggressive or unacceptable.
"You may have noticed that new signage has been installed across the town, detailing what behaviours are now prohibited in this area.
"If you do see an offence taking place then please report this to us via our customer services team."
For more information, visit braintree.gov.uk.
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