No-drinking zone Resident says street problems returned when order ended

A RESIDENT says antisocial behaviour in her neighbourhood has escalated after a 'no drinking zone' brought in by the council disappeared.

- Ellie KENDALL

Rachel Condon lives near Guinea Lane in Fishponds, which used to be covered by a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) banning people from consuming alcohol in a specified zone. She has been told by police that Bristol City Council "abolished" this PSPO in February, among others across Bristol.

Rachel feels there has been a rise in street drinking and drug dealing because of this, and police are also asking the council to reinstate it. She told the Post: "We have a huge problem with street drinking and drug dealing along this road and neighbouring roads. I have been reporting the issue to our local neighbourhood police, and have now been told that the Public Space Protection Order was abolished by the council in February 2024 and that the council have not responded to the police to re-introduce this.

"I feel this is unforgivable and is so detrimental to our community.

The council have spent so much money and effort enforcing the controversial 'liveable city scheme' in neighbouring St George and have chosen not to prioritise the safety of people in Fishponds.

"The police are not able to do their jobs and keep our community safe because of Bristol City Council inaction for whatever reason."