NEW controls have been introduced to clamp down on street drinking in Harrogate.

Following a council decision last month, a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) has been approved for Harrogate town centre, including the inside of the bus and railway stations, Victoria Shopping centre and car park and Jubilee Multi Storey Car Park.

The 12-month order gives enforcement officers new powers to ask a person to stop drinking and surrender their alcohol. If they refuse, they can be given a fixed penalty notice of up to £100.

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, said warning signs would be put up.

She said: “This is a positive step forward in response to businesses and shoppers who have been telling me for some time that anti-social behaviour linked to street drinking has become a significant problem.

"It’s not right that the behaviour of the few should spoil things for the many."