NEW powers to remove anti-social encampments in public parks and open spaces are being explored by Brighton and Hove City Council.

The authority’s policy and resources committee gave the green light last night for senior officers to explore the possibility of using public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) to move on people guilty of anti-social behaviour and trespass.

The move was broadly welcomed by councillors, but concerns were raised about how widely the powers would be used.

Council officers also warned that they would not be a cure-all solution.

The orders can be applied to city parks, open spaces and private land accessible to the public, but not to public highways and applied to travellers, van dwellers, rough sleepers and camping tourists.

Those breaching the orders would be committing a criminal offence and could face fixed penalty fines of up to £1,000.

Council officers said that frequency would be a factor in determining anti-social behaviour, but in theory powers could be used after just one encampment if a site is of particular sensitivity – citing the recent encampment of Woodingdean Cemetery as an example.

Officers warned that legislation would not be a “panacea” and would be used in conjunction with existing powers.

Cllr Gill Mitchell said the report had been brought to the committee at the earliest opportunity and that this “fairly new legislation” had to be used “carefully and proportionately”.

Cllr Phelim MacCafferty said: “We want to be very careful that we only use these powers proportionately.

“This talk is very general about certain areas in the city and I am not entirely comfortable using such a powerful piece of legislation if in effect it can apply to whole chunks of the city.”

Cllr MacCafferty also sought assurances that “people with protected characteristics” who are set to be most impacted by the powers are properly consulted.

The council’s head of law Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorghis warned that inappropriate use of the new powers could open up the council to High Court challenges.

Conservative councillor Tony Janio said: “Surely any law is open to challenge.

“We should go ahead and challenge and create case law, If the problem is that bad then have a bit of courage, act within the law and then see what the high court says rather than actually waiting for the high court.”

Council leader Warren Morgan said he wrote to residents within his first week of the administration explaining that the council would explore the use of these powers.

He added that while he wanted a speedy resolution he would not be “rushed” and needed to be “sensitive”.