Woking Town Centre Gets New Powers to Tackle Antisocial Behaviour
New Measures Aim to Reclaim Woking Town Centre
Woking's high street is about to get significant reinforcement in the fight against antisocial behaviour. The borough council has given the green light to a public space protection order (PSPO) that will grant Surrey Police expanded enforcement powers in the town centre. The move comes after six weeks of community consultation that revealed overwhelming support—80 per cent of the 362 residents surveyed backed the crackdown.
The order targets multiple issues that have plagued the area: street drinking, destructive group activities, and the use of face coverings specifically intended to intimidate or conceal identity during antisocial incidents. For those of us who shop, work, or run businesses in Woking's heart, this represents a tangible step toward reclaiming our public spaces. The data tells a compelling story: police evidence shows a persistent group has been causing problems during late afternoons and early evenings, deterring customers and directly harming local traders. Nearly 78 per cent of consultation respondents acknowledged that antisocial behaviour is damaging the town centre's vibrancy, while more than half had personally witnessed incidents. This isn't abstract concern—it's lived experience affecting our community's wellbeing.
Local Businesses and Residents Feel the Direct Impact
Shop owners, café managers, and local business operators across Woking town centre have been watching their customer footfall decline as residents actively avoid certain areas due to intimidating behaviour. The council's report explicitly noted that public perception of safety directly correlates with purchasing decisions—customers are choosing to shop elsewhere rather than navigate through problematic gatherings. This has real consequences for the independent traders and established businesses that form the backbone of our high street.
Counsellor Steve Greentree, the council's community portfolio holder, emphasises that the PSPO provides essential backup tools for both police and council officers to intervene effectively. The order also matters for visitors—whether you're coming from neighbouring areas like Guildford, Dorking, or East Horsley for a day out, you deserve to feel secure browsing shops or grabbing a coffee. Residents concerned about community safety have made their voices clear: over half the consultation respondents had witnessed problems firsthand. Even councillors acknowledge this fills a gap in existing enforcement powers. If approved by full council, the order remains in force for three years, with ongoing monitoring to ensure interventions don't simply displace problems to other neighbourhoods. For business owners already managing tight margins—whether they're bathroom fitters needing to operate safely or retail staff working evening shifts—this protection matters significantly.
What Happens Next and How You Can Help
The public space protection order now awaits final approval from Woking Borough Council's full meeting, but passage appears likely given the executive's endorsement and strong community backing. Once implemented, officers will have clearer authority to disperse problem groups, enforce drinking restrictions, and address intimidating behaviour patterns. Previous success with similar measures in Mount Hermon demonstrates the approach can work—that area saw measurable improvements after implementing comparable protections.
Local residents should understand what this means practically: officers will have enhanced stop-and-search capabilities in designated areas, and police can issue fixed penalty notices for violations more readily. If you're a business owner or regular visitor concerned about town centre safety, monitor local council communications for implementation timelines. The order's effectiveness depends on community reporting—if you witness ongoing issues, document them and report to Surrey Police or the council. For those operating businesses locally, from bathroom refurbishment specialists managing multiple job sites to shop owners, this creates a safer working environment. Residents in surrounding areas like Horsley, Woking's neighbouring communities, and broader Surrey may also benefit if reduced town centre problems improve the area's reputation. Stay engaged with council updates and support local initiatives rebuilding Woking's high street reputation as a welcoming, safe destination for shopping, dining, and community gathering.
Source: ‘Intimidating' face coverings set to be banned in new Woking town centre rules
