Waverley Borough Council is drawing up plans to clamp down on antisocial behaviour in Godalming's parks and the town centre.

The authority is considering taking the action after numerous complaints about a litany of bad behaviour over the past couple of years, including incidents where:

Large groups of youths have gathered outside people's homes, making noise and using foul language and intimidating residents;

Criminal damage has been caused in and around St John's Church and the surrounding flats, including graffiti, broken windows, mirrors being smashed in the church toilets, the church door being spat on, plants pulled up in the churchyard and water thrown from the font.

Drug-taking paraphernalia has also been found, and youths have intimidated people using the church and hall; Youths have shoplifted from local supermarkets, assaulted staff and engaged in abusive and intimidating behaviour; Youths have climbed on roofs in Godalming town centre, causing damage and throwing things at passers-by; The defibrillator unit at the Wilfred Noyce Centre has been damaged; Youths have verbally abused and intimidated people, been drunk and dropped litter in the town centre. South West Trains has also reported gangs of youths verbally abusing and threatening passengers and staff, breaking into the driver's cab on trains, using the PA system and sounding the horn. Things have also being thrown from and at trains, causing safety issues. SWT reports that rail staff have felt stressed and anxious about being at work. The issues were raised at a meeting held in Farncombe meeting before the pandemic struck, where more than 200 people turned out to air their views. Waverley's deputy leader, Paul Follows, told Godalming Nub News: "Councillor Penny Rivers and I highlighted that although most powers rested with the police, we would investigate what powers the borough council had and could bring forward. "This is the result of that investigation, and we would urge residents to engage with the consultation and make their views known." The Public Space Protection Order can be imposed under the provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The proposed order, which would also apply all across Waverley's parks and countryside sites, will give more power to Surrey Police, Waverley Borough Council and other agencies to tackle the bad behaviour. Drinking alcohol to excess would be banned: the council says people enjoying an alcoholic drink with a picnic would not be targeted, but would be used "in situations where excessive alcohol consumption is evident and considered likely to result in behaviour that will result in anti-social behaviour or cause fear, alarm or distress within the community." The rules would empower an authorised officer to demand that the offenders stop drinking and surrender their alcohol.

The same rules would apply to the use of drugs in public places, with the officers given powers to confiscate any illegal substances.

Anti-social behaviour, including verbal abuse, shouting, swearing and screaming, will also be tackled under the plans.

Waverley says "an effective deterrent" will also be provided to deal with issues such as graffiti and fly-posting.

Bonfires and barbecues will also be banned in Waverley's parks and public open spaces, unless people have been given permission in advance.

Breaches of the rules would see offenders given a Fixed Penalty Notice, with the threat of prosecution if they fail to pay up.

The plan is currently in the process of being put out for public consultation.

To have your say on the issue, click here. The consultation ends on April 2nd.

What do you think of the idea? Do you back it? Will it work? Let us know your opinion.