Greenwich council has renewed a protection order which bans drinking in Woolwich town centre.

The Public space protection order (PSPO) was renewed on July 9, but was first introduced in 2016.

The PSPO prohibits people from being in possession of an open container of alcohol within designated areas.

Anyone who does not comply with a request to surrender open containers of alcohol may be required to leave the area covered by the order for up to 48 hours, and could face a fine.

The order was introduced as part of an overall push to tackle anti-social behaviour, street drinking and substance abuse in the borough.

However, following further feedback, the decision has been made to renew the PSPO for another three years, until 2022.

The renewal of the order also coincides with the prosecution of a persistent street drinker, Samuel Little, who has been ordered to pay £630 by Bexley magistrates court.

Little has consistently been drinking alcohol within prohibited areas in Woolwich town centre since the PSPO was introduced in 2016.

He has received 23 fixed penalty notices for refusing to surrender his open container of alcohol and has been verbally abusive to council staff on multiple occasions.

Mr Little has received intensive support from the Council’s Street Pop project to address his homelessness and addiction issues.

Despite being placed into accommodation and supported to attend appointments at local treatment services, he continued to breach the PSPO and has failed to pay any of the fixed penalty notices issued to him. He was found guilty for non-payment of fines on July 8.

Little has also received a community protection notice which bans him from Woolwich town centre for 12 months.

Cllr Jackie Smith said: “The renewal of the public space protection order in Woolwich town centre allows us to continue to support vulnerable street drinkers and help them deal with their substance abuse, whilst reducing the amount of street drinking and anti-social behaviour in the area.

“The PSPO was put was put in place to combat the excessive levels of anti-social behaviour caused by people coming to consume alcohol in our open spaces. We are committed to ensuring that Woolwich town centre feels like a safe and welcoming place for those visiting it. We will continue to take robust enforcement action against any individuals that come into the area primarily to consume alcohol and behave in an anti-social manner."