TROUBLEMAKERS in Witney could be fined on the spot by police officers and council officials after Public Space Protection Orders were introduced in three areas of the town.

West Oxfordshire District Council has sanctioned the PSPOs at The Leys, The Crofts and George V Playing Fields in response to a number of incidents.

Between January 2013 and July 2015, 28 offences were reported at The Leys including criminal damage, theft and assault.

From April 2013 to March 2014 at The Crofts, Highworth Place and The Springs there were 62 offences including drug possession, theft and assault. George V Playing Fields had 17 calls to the police concerning anti-social behaviour.

The council said this evidence warranted PSPOs in an attempt to crack down on problems.

WODC cabinet member for Community Safety, Robert Courts, said: “The PSPOs were issued under anti-social behaviour (ASB) legislation that came into force in October 2014. It enables councils to deal more robustly and proactively with offending behaviour.

“Witney is a safe and pleasant place to live and visit so when we experienced ASB issues at The Leys, The Crofts and George V Playing Fields we acted quickly to prevent it from escalating.”

The council said two fixed penalty notices had already been handed out – to a 17-year-old girl and 19-year-old man at The Leys in August.