I’D LIKE to welcome the recognition from the council at a decision session on March 18 that something needs to be done urgently about street drinking and similar antisocial behaviour in the Groves.

I raised the following concerns at the meeting: that any public space protection order needs to take in the whole area of the Groves up to and including the Foss and ensure that it doesn’t just displace problems on to residents elsewhere; that action is needed quickly, as it still seems unclear how soon a consultation on the new order will begin.

It was announced at the meeting that community protection notices carrying £100 on-the-spot fines are to be introduced immediately, but it seems a bit unclear how these will be used.

We were assured that this would be in conjunction with individual help and support for street drinkers via the antisocial behaviour hub in order to help them move on with their lives and provide lasting solutions to the problem.

It is crucial that this does happen in practice rather than simply creating the displacement everyone is trying to avoid or sending individuals into a downward spiral of criminal conviction and debt.

Denise Craghill, Green Party candidate for Guildhall ward, Broadway West, York