ORDERS that allow police to take tougher action against street drinking in town and city centres will continue for at least another three years.

But they will be dropped in one area of Bradford after a business linked to much of the area's anti social behaviour closed down.

Members of Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee yesterday agreed to expand a number of Public Space Protection Orders in Bradford City Centre, Keighley Town Centre, Bingley Town Centre and Shipley Town Centre.

However Council officers described the response to a public consultation into the orders as disappointing after just 71 people responded.

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The orders allow authorised officers to request, where they reasonably believe consumption of alcohol within the area will lead to anti-social behaviour, the surrender of any alcohol.

Failure to comply with the request is a criminal offence to which a fixed-penalty notice or fine can be imposed.

Orders last for three year, and the existing PSPOs expire this year. After the Committee approved the extension, they will last for another three years.

Ian Day told the committee said: "We cast quite a large net in the consultation. Unfortunately we only received 71 responses."

He said since the orders were introduced police have reported a 43 per cent reduction of anti-social drinking in the district, and a 54 per cent reduction in the city centre.

The West Bowling order covered Round Street, Upper Castle Street, Dalcross Street and Gaythorne Road. But as part of the consultation, the Council was informed that much of the anti-social behaviour in that area was linked to a betting shop that has since shut.

A letter from the local ward officer said: "Since this time the problems of anti-social behaviour linked to street drinking in this part of West Bowling has reduced considerably."

They say there has not been a problem with anti-social drinking in the area for "years."

Mr Day told members "In West Bowling there is no evidence we need to continue the PSPO."

Members approved to extend all the orders except the one for West Bowling."