A CRACKDOWN on nuisance behaviour across Barrow is being lined up.

A new anti-social behaviour order could be introduced allowing police, PCSOs and council staff to dish out £100 fixed penalty fines to persistent offenders.

It follows an outbreak of problems over the last year, particularly in the town centre, according to a council report to be discussed next week.

Persistent incidents have taken place including under-age drinking, the use of legal highs, begging or ‘chugging’ for money, dog fouling, and young drivers congregating on public car parks.

The report, to go before the council’s ruling executive at Barrow Town Hall on Wednesday, read: “Local businesses and the police regularly have to deal with these issues and despite measures being put in place these have been ineffective.

“Another problem occurs on the car parks particularly supermarkets and Hollywood Park areas. Car cruisers who over-rev their engines cause a noise nuisance and use the facility as a race circuit, and are a danger to both pedestrians and road users.

“There are also a number of skateboarders who frequently cause nuisance to those who are using the car park legitimately,” the report said.

A number of Barrow’s parks and open spaces have also seen an increased use of illegal use of drugs and alcohol issues, the report said.

To get feedback on the order before it comes in, the council is expected to launch a six week public consultation.

The Public Spaces Protection Order gives more power to officials to intervene and could be introduced at other problemspots across Furness.

The orders came into force under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Council staff, police officers, fire and rescue personnel and public health services face “complex challenges” around anti-social behaviour, the report said.

“Public Spaces Protection Orders are designed to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in an area by placing conditions on the use of the area and providing sanctions for those that do not comply,” said the report.

“An order should help to significantly reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour over the long-term and improve the quality of life for residents, visitors and local businesses.”