TWO people have been fined for begging six months after controversial measures to tackle anti-social behaviour came into force in Poole town centre.

The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was introduced on April 16 as part of Poole council’s aim to make the town centre a ‘safe and welcoming place’.

However, the rules against begging and leaving belongings and baggage unattended attracted strong opposition from residents, church leaders and political groups including Poole Labour Party. It was feared rough sleepers would be targeted by the order, which can see fines of £100 handed out.

A report on the PSPO was presented at the council’s People Overview and Scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday where members scrutinised the implementation and progress made to date.

Safer Communities officers have dealt with 60 people since the PSPO took effect.

Two people have been given fixed penalty notices have continued to beg in the town centre, “despite being advised not to on numerous occasions and refusing to engage with support services”, councillors were told.

The two individuals are both housed.

Five people have been supported into accommodation.

Three warning letters have been given to people, as well as 19 advisory letters. Words of advice have been offered 87 times to individuals.

Councillor Karen Rampton, cabinet member for health and social care and housing said: “The evidence speaks for itself.

“It shows our approach is working in tackling ASB as well as engaging and supporting individuals on the street, and I feel positive about what has been achieved so far.

“Residents and businesses have told us the town centre feels safer and is more pleasant since the order was introduced. This is largely down to our proactive approach to engage with people and only use enforcement where support and advice is ignored. In the main the majority have accepted advice and support and have not continued with their behaviour.”

She added: “I would like to thank the Safer Communities team, partners and faith groups who are working tirelessly to give advice to those individuals and encourage them to access help and support services.”

The PSPO also covers the ‘possession, supply or use of intoxicating substances’, and ‘behaviour likely to cause nuisance, harassment, alarm or distress to others’.

When the order was implemented, Cllr Rampton said Poole town centre, in particular the High Street, bus station, Dolphin Shopping Centre, and the quay, had the “highest levels of anti-social behaviour in the borough”.

As reported in the Daily Echo recently, police have been cracking down on anti-social behaviour at the bus station after reports of persistent trouble there.

Groups of young people who gather at the bus station have allegedly threatened staff working in nearby businesses and thrown missiles at passing vehicles.

Bus passengers have also reportedly been spat at and KFC was vandalised.