Public Spaces Protection Order
What is a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)?
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was introduced in October 2014 by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. A PSPO, like the Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) it replaced, is designed to allow us to deal with a nuisance or problem behaviour in public spaces within a particular area that is, or is likely to be, detrimental to the local community’s quality of life.
Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the existing DPPO automatically became a PSPO in October 2017 and will expire in October 2020.
In October 2017 our existing Dog Control Orders also became a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), for details of restrictions, enforcement and fines see Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Orders
What areas are covered by the PSPO?
We identified, whilst working with partner organisations, including the Police, local residents and Parish and Town Councils, that there are issues arising in connection with public consumption of alcohol that are resulting in anti-social behaviour in certain communities. As a result, a new PSPO was made on 3 May 2018.
View the 2018 Public Spaces Protection Order (PDF: 756Kb / 7 pages) which includes maps showing the affected areas.
We exercised powers under section 60 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and extended the 2018 PSPO for a further 3 years.
The current PSPO came into force on 2 May 2021 for a period of 36 months. View the current Public Spaces Protection Order (PDF: 374Kb / 7 pages).
Consultation of PSPO relating to the consumption of alcohol
Westmorland and Furness Council is proposing to extend a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) applicable to the area of Eden relating to the prohibition of alcohol consumption for a further period of 12 months.
Following Local Government Re-organisation on 01 April 2023, and the vesting of Westmorland and Furness Council, Officers are currently reviewing all applicable PSPOs implemented by the former authorities that are in force and are working closely with the Police and other key organisations. The Council intends to carry out an extensive public consultation that considers all possible anti-social behaviour matters that can be dealt with through PSPOs. The review process is currently ongoing and a wide consultation is due to take place in the coming months and Officers anticipate this exercise is likely to be fully complete with the new PSPOs in force by the end of this year. Therefore for the continuation of the current PSPO to take place which is due to expire on 01 May 2024, the Council proposes an extension (subject to the relevant conditions being met) for 12 months or until the Council implement Westmorland and Furness PSPOs that cover the whole district, whichever occurs first.
The PSPO currently out for consultation in relation to the extension proposal is applicable to the Eden area of Westmorland and Furness Council, specifically the areas of Alston, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith and Shap which relate to the consumption of alcohol and is due to expire on 01 May 2024. However, it is proposed that this draft Order is extended, subject to the outcomes of the consultation.
If you would like to comment on the proposed extension, we would be grateful if you could please email admin.licensing@westmorlandfurness.gov.uk or comment by post to the Licensing Team, Westmorland and Furness Council, Town Hall, Corney Square, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7QF headed "Comment PSPO (Alcohol Consumption)". The consultation ends at 5.00pm on Friday, 26 April 2024.
What are the penalties for breach of a PSPO?
It is an offence to fail to comply with a request by Police or Council officers to cease drinking or to surrender alcohol in the area covered by a PSPO. A person in breach of the Order can be prosecuted, or issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.
For more information on PSPOs please contact the Licensing Team on the details below.