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).

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.

Last updated: Monday, 26 July, 2021.