A SURVEY has been launched to give people the chance to have their say about plans to tackle anti-social behaviour in Dorset.

Addressing illegal camping on beaches, open fires in woods and heathland, and problem drinking in public are some of the issues council bosses are hoping to tackle.

Dorset Council has now launched a public consultation into the plans and wants to find out what people think of the eight proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).

The new plans are proposed for town level in Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester, Bridport, West Bay and Lyme Regis to introduce powers that can be used by the council and their partners to address anti-social behaviour - current orders are only split between two areas, west Dorset and Weymouth and Portland.

“Dorset Council has a key role to play in helping to make sure our public spaces can be used and enjoyed by everyone,” said Cllr Laura Miller, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services.

“We don’t want to prevent or stop people from enjoying themselves responsibly, but we know how anti-social behaviour can impact our communities and we need to ensure we have measures and tools in place should we need them.”

Proposals in Weymouth include amendments to existing restrictions for cycling on the promenade, extending measures around drinking alcohol in the town centre and gates installed to restrict access to Trinity Passage.

In west Dorset the council is suggesting revised boundaries plans in Bridport and Lyme Regis where drinking orders are in place.

While in Dorchester, Dorset Council proposes adding the intentional feeding of gulls to an existing PSPO.

In addition to the town orders the authority wants to restrict camping on beaches including Chesil Beach, Weymouth Beach and Lulworth as a result of a rise in the number of people doing so in the summer months of this year and 2020.

While for wooded areas the plan is to offer additional powers to council staff and other officials, such as the Forestry Commission or rangers to deal with open fires and barbecues.

The consultation will run until January 13 next year with surveys available to complete for each PSPO via dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/PSPO-consultation.