Concerns about begging, street drinking and antisocial behaviour in Yeovil town centre have grown since two public space protection orders (PSPOs) expired, with residents and businesses saying the area feels less welcoming.
The concerns were raised at a Somerset Council executive committee meeting on 5 August by Councillor Tom Power, who represents Wincanton and Bruton. He said feedback from constituents, business owners and residents suggested that the town centre’s atmosphere had declined since the orders lapsed.
Yeovil is the main shopping and services destination for many people from Wincanton, Bruton and surrounding villages. Councillor Power said some of those residents were increasingly reporting that the town felt “less welcoming” when they visited.
What the Yeovil PSPOs covered
The orders were introduced by South Somerset District Council in October 2019. They gave police and local authorities additional powers to intervene in specified circumstances, including public drinking, begging and related antisocial behaviour.
One order targeted approaching people to beg in parts of Clarence Street, High Street and Middle Street. The other covered public alcohol consumption and associated antisocial conduct. Its area was expanded in October 2021 to stretch from Yeovil Hospital to Brunswick Street, and from the A30 Queensway to Wyndham Hill.
Breaching the orders previously carried a £100 penalty. Both PSPOs were extended in October 2022 and transferred to Somerset Council when the new unitary authority was formed in April 2023. They have since expired.
Why the orders were not renewed
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council’s portfolio holder for communities, environment and climate change, confirmed that the Yeovil PSPOs had not been renewed. She also said Avon and Somerset Police had not asked for them to be reinstated.
She said the council would keep the situation under review and encouraged people to report begging, street drinking, antisocial behaviour and other incidents. Reports are intended to help the authorities understand the scale and nature of the problems and decide what action may be appropriate.
The council is separately planning to reinstate dog-fouling PSPOs across Somerset. Those proposals are expected to proceed in the autumn after consultation with local councils, but they are separate from the expired Yeovil orders.
How to report concerns in Yeovil
Residents can report begging or street drinking to Avon and Somerset Police by calling 101 or using the force’s website. Antisocial behaviour can also be reported through Somerset Council’s dedicated online reporting platform.
At the meeting, Councillor Power said enforcement powers alone would not resolve every issue, but argued that councils and police needed effective tools to deal with persistent antisocial behaviour. He also stressed the importance of preserving Yeovil’s reputation as a place to shop, work and socialise.