Measures aiming to clamp down on anti-social behaviour in a Surrey town have taken effect.
Woking Borough Council’s public spaces protection order (PSPO) comes into force on Wednesday and is set to last three years – unless extended, changed or removed.
The order gives police increased powers to curb street drinking, intimidating and threatening behaviour and people using face coverings to cause fear.
Breaking it can mean being convicted of an offence and receiving a fine, the local authority has said.
Councillor Steve Greentree said the PSPO would help “maintain and strengthen safety in our town centre”.
“With the darker autumn evenings now here, [it will] provide additional reassurance for everyone who lives, works or visits Woking.”
Speaking before the PSPO was implemented, councillor Chris Martin said “residents clearly want action“.
“But these are significant powers that restrict behaviour in public places and can feel a bit heavy-handed if they are not carefully managed,” he added.