A major blunder will leave police with less powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in Southampton, a councillor has warned.

Specific measures to tackle street drinking in the city centre and busy suburbs will expire at the end of the month.

The public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) for alcohol consumption in public were last extended in 2022.

The powers, which currently cover Bitterne, Portswood, Shirley, Woolston and the city centre, can only be in force for three years.

They then require a review and consultation before a further extension can be considered.

At a full council meeting on March 26, it was highlighted that the PSPOs were set to lapse in just a matter of weeks.

Green Party councillor for Portswood Katherine Barbour said: “The (police) officer informed me that the public spaces protection order, which is in place in Portswood Broadway, is going to lapse next month because the (council) officer who led on that, worked on that, no longer works at the council, hadn’t handed over to colleagues that that needed to be consulted on in advance.

“All of the public spaces protection orders across the city are going to lapse next month and potentially we’ve got less powers for the police.”

In response to questions from the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Christie Lambert, cabinet member for communities and safer city, said the local authority was in the process of extending a “small” number of PSPOs, but no timescale was given for this to be completed.

“We are working very hard to ensure these renewed PSPOs are made even more robust than ever before to provide both the council and our police partners with the scope to tackle a much wider range of issues that contribute to feelings of unease and insecurity within our communities,” Cllr Lambert said.

“This is fantastic news for our residents, businesses, and visitors alike, and we are confident that the necessary time taken to secure these enhanced protections will make a tangible difference in creating a more positive and secure environment for all.

“In the meantime, we remain fiercely committed to working together to address all instances of anti-social behaviour all over Southampton and will continue to do so regardless of PSPO status.”

The PSPOs give police the power in the designated areas to seize and dispose of any alcohol being consumed and direct individuals to stop drinking alcohol.

Anyone who fails to comply can be handed a £100 fixed penalty notice or face prosecution.

The current orders for Bitterne, Portswood, Shirley, Woolston and the city centre expire on Tuesday, April 29.

Before granting the previous extension at a cabinet meeting in March 2022, the local authority carried out a 28-day public consultation across January and February.

Legislation requires the council to carry out the “necessary consultation” before making or extending a public spaces protection order. This includes consulting the chief officer of the local police force and the police and crime commissioner.