Blackpool looks to use Public Spaces Protection Orders to stop rowdy behaviour

Blackpool Borough Council is to look at using the new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to restrict rowdy behaviour in the resort, in particular by stag and hen night groups.

A council spokesman though denied a BBC report that the council proposed to ban the ‘mankini' – a garment popularised by actor Sasha Baron Cohen in his film Borat.

“We are not looking at banning specific items of clothing, we are going to consult widely on this,” he said.

Gillian Campbell, cabinet member for public safety and enforcement, said she wanted to tackle inappropriate behaviour in the town centre after feedback from the public suggested it was not seen as family friendly.

“This has been attributed to lewd or rude behaviour by people who are out drinking, often large groups,” she said.

“Some of those groups wear clothing that is inappropriate in a family resort, behave inappropriately and, often innocently and inadvertently, can be intimidating to families and children.

“One of the options we’re looking at is, if we can use the new Public Space Protection Orders to tackle that?

“How and when that would be done though is very much to be decided and would be subject to widespread consultation with businesses and residents.”

Libertarian group the Manifesto Club described any move to make it a criminal offence to dress inappropriately as “a worrying move of the state into questions of fashion and mores”.

It asked: “Who in the council will be appointed the judge of what is and is to inappropriate dress? Will there be official measures issued for the length of ladies' skirts?”

Mark Smulian