Anybody found with a catapult or slingshot in the Salisbury area could be fined £100 by Wiltshire Council.

A proposed Public Spaces Protection Order would cover Salisbury and the surrounding parishes of Laverstock & Ford, Quidhampton, Netherhampton, Wilton, Alderbury, Odstock and Coombe Bissett and is being proposed to help prevent anti-social behaviour in the city.

It also states that a person would be committing an offence by possessing “stones, ball bearings, pellets or similar item(s) capable of being launched as a projectile, by a catapult, slingshot or similar item or by manual force, that could cause harm or damage to a person, animal or property.”

The second part of the PSPO would give police the power to prohibit the drinking of alcohol or having open containers of alcohol in the public places of the city centre.

This would not affect licensed premises with outdoor seating.

The proposal says: “The council hereby provides for the issuing of fixed penalty notices to those in breach of the order. 

"Under these notices, the fine will be £100 and failure to pay a fine will entitle the council to prosecute and, on summary conviction, the court may impose a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (ie currently £1,000).”

According to the council, the PSPO has been suggested following feedback from Wiltshire Police, parish councils and residents.

The council is encouraging people to have their say on this proposal before its consultation period ends.

Councillor Nick Holder, cabinet member for public protection, said: “We’ve had over 100 responses to the consultation so far and we want to thank those who have already taken the time to provide their feedback.

“There is still time for people to have their say, we particularly want to hear from local residents and businesses that are being affected by the anti-social behaviour.

“Safeguarding our residents and businesses is one of our most important responsibilities, as such, we think that it is an appropriate time to consider the introduction of the PSPO in Salisbury and surrounding areas.

“If brought in, anyone found to be in breach of it could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.

“Hopefully we can reassure our residents that we are taking anti-social behaviour seriously and we will work with Wiltshire Police to do everything we can to make our communities safer.”

The consultation runs until Monday, October 30 and those wishing to partake can find more information on the council website.