Plans to ban public drinking in Croydon town centre would lead to “social cleansing” a councillor has warned.

Police could soon be given extra powers to confiscate open bottles and cans of booze.

Croydon Council wants to roll out a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering the town centre.

A previous order on the area, which was in place since 2017, expired at the end of 2020.

Green councillor, Ria Patel, said: “The proposal is about tackling antisocial behaviour but what the PSPO would do in reality is give police more power to arrest people who are street drinking or using drugs.

"That is not going to slow the rate of these problems, it is going to push them out of the town centre to the outskirts of Croydon.

“This situation needs to be approached by working in partnership with social services and charities.

"Some people don’t want to engage because of previous bad experiences, so we need to work with the people who are homeless and alcohol and drug users and understand what the issues are.

“The whole decision of the PSPO is going to lead to social cleansing, people who are classified as ‘riff-raff ‘ are going to be moved while those with more privilege and power are going to be allowed to drink in the street with alcohol from a pub rather than from a supermarket.”

Public consultation on the proposal is open until September 15.

If approved, the town centre PSPO would cover parts of South Croydon and Broad Green.

While Cllr Patel, whose ward Fairfield covers the town centre, encouraged people to respond to the council’s consultation they added: “They’ve left very little room for people to actually explain their thoughts on the proposal too and have a lot of tick-box questions instead.”

Other potential areas to roll out PSPOs, including New Addington, are being considered by Croydon Mayor Jason Perry.

An assessment of this is expected later this year.

Mayor Perry said: “Croydon’s residents, visitors, and local businesses must feel safe and welcome in our town centre, which remains the heart of the borough.

"There is no room for anti-social behaviour in Croydon and I am pleased we can help our high streets thrive by supporting the police to deter this behaviour.”