Community Support Officers are still waiting for the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to be finalised for Ross-on-Wye.

At the Town Meeting in April residents raised the issue of people drinking in the town centre. Inspector James Ashton said that their hands had been tied but from May 1st they would have the necessary power. The new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was supposed to become effective on April 21st but it appeared that several areas in Ross which needed to be included on the map designating the areas had not been.

At the Town Council meeting on Monday, July 9th, the Mayor, Councillor Harry Bramer asked PCSO Lisa Austin for an update.

She explained that they are still waiting for the new map to be agreed.

Councillor Jane Roberts suggested that the Town Council Planning Committee should look at it to ensure all the correct areas are included.

The new PSPOs are designed to tackle alcohol consumption in certain areas and were intended to replace previous orders which had become unenforceable.

The PSPOs will apply, in the designated areas within Ross-on-Wye, to a person consuming or intending to consume alcohol in a designated public place and when a person is likely to cause or has caused disorder. In such cases this person can be required to stop and have the alcohol confiscated, whether the drinking vessel is opened or not.

It is not a ban on alcohol consumption.