ALMOST 800 people have told a public consultation that they have been directly affected by drunken behaviour and begging on Weymouth seafront.

Most have said they would support new public protection orders being considered by the borough council.

Of those who responded 79 per cent thought there was a very big or fairly big problem of alcohol related anti social behaviour in Weymouth town centre. 76 per cent felt the promenade had a very or fairly big problem.

Out of the total 800 people who responded, 777 had been affected over the last twelve months by alcohol related problems in Weymouth town centre, 754 on the promenade. 56 per cent felt they were seriously or fairly affected by alcohol related ASB in the town centre, and 53 per cent on the promenade.

Councillors are being asked to approve the new measures at their meeting to deal with alcohol, begging, feeding gulls and cycling.

They are being told that existing legislation, which already covers much of the seafront, town centre and Easton Square at Portland will be ‘wrapped up’ in a new anti-social behaviour-related Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

It will also expand the area covered by the previous order to include part of the Rodwell Trail, Hope Square, Melcombe Avenue, St John’s Church and Grange Road in Weymouth.

The same level of fines will apply – up to £1,000 in some cases.

A report to the full council meeting tonight says: “A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) can be made if a council is satisfied on reasonable grounds that certain activities carried out, or likely to be carried out, in a public place have had or will have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of people in that area.”

The order will also tie in previous rules relating to dogs, feeding seagulls and cycling – but even if approved at the meeting will take a further six weeks before the new PSPO comes into effect.

Head of Community Protection at the council, Graham Duggan said: “The provisions contained within the anti-social behaviour PSPO will complement police and other council measures (including CCTV; ASB caseworker; 3GS environmental enforcement) and the multi-agency funded Community Safety Accreditation Scheme which is soon to be launched. Together they can make a significant contribution to tackling anti social behaviour in the borough.”

Other changes being considered include to suspend the existing promenade cycling bylaw which prohibits cycling at all times, and replace with a PSPO, which will prohibit cycling on the promenade between 10am and 6pm from May 1 to the end of September.