A COUNCIL could be given powers to curb the level of antisocial behaviour in a Hampshire town.

Civic chiefs in Gosport are taking action after concerns were raised by shop traders about the public drinking, drug taking and aggressive begging with the areas around High Street and South Street among the worst hit.

Figures from Hampshire Police show that between July 2016 and June 2017, antisocial behaviour contributed to 37.26 per cent of all total crimes in the town - 1,296 out of 3,481.

In response, the authority has said it will introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which would make it an offence to beg, drink alcohol or sleep rough when asked not to do by a police officer as well as deterring offenders from urinating, being abusive or taking drugs in the street.

Under the order, police and authorised council officers would be given powers to confiscate and dispose of substances and issue on-the-spot fines of up to £100 while repeat offenders could receive a court fine of up to £1,000.

On council land, such as the bus station and the Falkland Gardens, they will also be able to obtain eviction orders in court to remove groups.

Cllr Graham Burgess, chairman of the council’s community board, said: “This new order would beef up the powers we and the police already have. Council officers, as well as police, would have the power to ask people to disperse.”

The PSPO will be introduced in November subject to board approval.