Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are powers introduced by local authorities under Section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to help deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a particular area that is damaging to the local community’s quality of life.
They set out specific conditions on how an area can be used. These conditions apply to everyone and are designed to ensure that you can use and enjoy public spaces safe from anti-social behaviour.
Boroughwide PSPO restrictions
The borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is in place until March 2027 and restricts:
- the public consumption of alcohol and
- use of psychoactive substances and
- prohibits public urination and defaecation.
A breach of the order only takes places when an individual refuses to stop drinking or to surrender their alcohol to a police officer or other designated enforcement officer. The same applies to psychoactive substances. All public urination and defaecation is prohibited.
If the PSPO is breached, then a fixed penalty notice of £100 can be issued and non-payment could then lead to a prosecution, with a maximum fine of £1,000 on conviction.
Public Spaces Protection Order (PDF - 254.1 KB)
1. Consumption of alcohol
Any person(s) who intend(s) to, is or has been consuming alcohol, without reasonable excuse. This person must:
- cease the consumption of alcohol immediately
- surrender any alcohol that the authorised officer reasonably believes to be, alcohol or a container for alcohol (this includes any sealed containers).
2. Use of illegal drugs or psychoactive substances
Any person(s) preparing to use or using illegal drugs or psychoactive substances. This person must:
- cease use immediately
- surrender any of the drug or psychoactive substance including any paraphernalia used for the use of such drug or psychoactive substance.
3. Urination or Defecation
Any person(s) urinating or defecating in a place other than a serviced public convenience.