"We are doing our best to protect the public and the reputation of Weymouth" – that was the message from borough councillors as they passed new public protection orders to deal with begging, drunks and anti-social behaviour.

There was criticism of the media during the borough council debate for reporting people’s fears and worries about town centre and seafront behaviour.

“It gets a bit loud, it gets a bit leery – but that’s Weymouth,” said Cllr Christine James.

Cllr Kate Wheller, who works with the Street Pastors, said she had been out in the early hours of the morning and had never been threatened or abused. She claimed that the situation was improving.

“Can we please keep some balance in the reporting. Weymouth is not Sodom and Gomorrah,” said Cllr Wheller.

It comes after 800 people said in a consultation that they were directly affected by drunken behaviour and begging on the seafront.

Weymouth and Portland Borough councillors, at their full meeting on Thursday evening, were told that a new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) will give police and the council officers more authority to tackle nuisance behaviour and the ability to confiscate alcohol and impose fines on those who refuse requests.

When the order comes into effect, in about six weeks, it will include part of the Rodwell Trail, Hope Square, Melcombe Avenue, St John’s Church and Grange Road in Weymouth. Easton Square, Portland is also covered by the legislation.

Included in the order will be a ban on feeding seagulls and previous rules on cycling on the Esplanade and walking dogs on the beach. Rules for the cycling ban and dog walking will now both operate from Good Friday to the end of October after councillors said it would cause problems to have different dates for both.

Said council leader Cllr Jeff Cant: “This is part of a large jigsaw of actions to ensure that the town is a nicer and safer place to be especially during the evening.”

Introducing the debate Cllr Mike Byatt said: “This is a positive way forward, it’s an ongoing issue. It won’t change overnight but it will show that we have practical ways to make improvements…we want to enhance where we live and make it a safer place for our community.”

Not all of the areas where there have been problems are included in the order – notably the town rail station and Lodmoor Country Park, but councillors were told that the order could be changed in the future if there was evidence to support it.

Cllr Ryan Hope called for better signs to explain which areas were included and called for help for those who begged. He claimed many had mental health or addiction issues and needed support.

Cllr Jon Orrell supported the call for support, but added: “A lot of those begging have homes and are just taking the mickey.”

Cllr Lucy Hamilton said much of the problems were linked to cuts in public service budgets – notably for the youth service and police.

'Seeing beggars is an every day event'

Frequently being accosted by beggars and people with mental health problems are every day events of living in Weymouth, according to one resident.

During the public session of Thursday’s Weymouth and Portland Borough Council meeting Jonathan Pullen said he walked into town almost every day and usually encountered someone with challenging behaviour.

“I was recently confronted by a seriously distraught woman with mental health issues. I was on my own but I managed to calm her down…

“There is often a woman begging on Lodmoor Hill who can be quite aggressive.”

He said there was a limit to how much legislation can influence human behaviour: “We have to differentiate between those who have mental health issues and the charlatans and parasites.”

Mayor Cllr Gill Taylor told him that begging and rough sleeping was ‘a complex issue’.

“There are a number of people in the town who are hard to reach…there is often no question of supporting them until they are ready to take action and change their way of life.”

She said that she hoped the new order for public safety would help the police and other agencies with their work in the community.