Thurrock Council has extended its Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering Grays for a further three years, allowing enforcement officers to crack down on anti-social behaviour until at least 2029. The PSPO is designed to tackle behaviour including street drinking, abusive language, harassment, spitting and other activities deemed to have a negative impact on the community. Officers can immediately move on people breaching the order and confiscate alcohol, nitrous oxide canisters and other intoxicating substances being used in public. Councillor Richard Bingley, leader of Thurrock Council and cabinet member for public protection, community safety and veterans, said the authority was determined to tackle behaviour that makes people feel unsafe. He said: “Anti-social behaviour in town centres is a scourge that blights the lives of ordinary people as they go about their daily lives.