Extra powers have been given to officials in a north Oxfordshire town centre to order people causing trouble to leave.
The Banbury Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) will give the council’s community wardens the power to require people to leave the area for 24 hours if they are committing antisocial behaviour.
Cherwell District Council’s cabinet has approved a variation to the Banbury PSPO in the town centre.
The move brings the Banbury PSPO in line with the Bicester order, and the new powers can also be used by police officers.
Councillor Nicola Borkmann, cabinet member for customers and community services, said: “There is so much to enjoy and appreciate in Banbury town centre; whether people are visiting for work, shopping or a meal out, we want them to feel safe and welcome.
“Big strides have been made in tackling antisocial behaviour since we introduced the PSPO in town last year.
"It makes it very clear the standards we expect in our town, and is a great tool for supporting our engagement with people who may be causing a nuisance.
“Even low-level antisocial behaviour can be intimidating and distressing to witness.
"This latest step gives us an additional tool to tackle a small minority of persistent offenders, and protect our lovely town centre for the benefit of the whole community.”
The current Banbury PSPO has been in place since April 2025, and the council’s community safety team has been working closely with Thames Valley Police on enforcing the current prohibitions.
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Following the introduction of the PSPO, there was a five per cent reduction in the number of crimes reported to Thames Valley Police in the town centre.
However, with 140 reports of antisocial behaviour in the same period, Cherwell’s wardens believe that problems persist with groups engaged in street drinking, causing anti-social behaviour.
The new variation to the Banbury PSPO will now allow wardens to take additional action in these cases, supporting Cherwell’s overall aim of making Banbury a safer and more enjoyable place for everyone.
Thames Valley Police has also said it is tackling street drinking, intimidation and low-level disorder, particularly around High Street, White Lion Walk and the town centre bandstand.
As a result, the town centre is no longer considered a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, Thames Valley Police said last month.
The force added that there has been a 32 per cent reduction in total incidents, a 33 per cent reduction in suspect-related incidents, and three Community Protection Notices have been issued.
The operation was launched in response to rising concerns from residents, businesses and partner organisations.
