FEEDING gulls, urinating in the street, aggressively begging and skateboarding could soon get you banned from the city centre if new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour are introduced.

Worcester City Council is looking at introducing £70 fines and city centre bans for people found under the influence of drugs and legal highs; urinating and defecating in public; feeding of certain birds, including gulls; aggressive begging; and aggressive or inconsiderate riding of a bike, scooter or skateboard.

Councillor James Stanley, chairman of the council’s communities committee, said: “We are making this proposal after looking at figures for the main areas of anti-social behaviour that attract complaints.

“We know some of these issues can be quite sensitive so this consultation, if it is supported by the committee, will be very much an attempt to gauge the public mood and see if there is a desire for additional powers to be brought in.

“We know many people do want to see more action taken against anti-social behaviour in the city, however we are genuinely open-minded on whether introducing a public space protection order (PSPO) is the right way to go.

“If the committee agrees to launch a consultation, I would urge Worcester residents to take this opportunity to let us know if they support this course of action.”

The consultation could open the way to the council making a PSPO for the city centre under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The move comes after discussions between the city council, police and other partners, including Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), Fortis Living and local charities including Warwickshire and West Mercia Community Rehabilitation Company, St Paul’s Hostel and Maggs Day Centre.

The council said sensitive matters, such as aggressive begging, action would only be taken as a last resort when all other attempts to engage with the perpetrator have proven unsuccessful.

No action would be taken against genuine rough sleepers, with the powers reserved for use against individuals who are known to be part of an organised begging scheme.

The city council said it works with partner agencies to provide a programme of support to rough sleepers.

If approved, an eight-week consultation would be launched on February 15.

The report will be discussed by the council’s communities committee on February 4.