You are being asked to share your views on a borough-wide safety zone to combat anti-social behaviour.

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was first introduced in 2019 and renewed in 2022. With the current order set to expire this September, the council has opened an 8-week consultation for people to have their say before it decides whether to renew the order for another 3 years or make any changes to it.

What does the PSPO do?

A PSPO gives police and council officers additional powers to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour in public spaces, including town centres, parks and housing estates.

This includes tackling:

• anti-social street drinking
• littering and fly-tipping
• use of psychoactive substances
• intimidating or aggressive behaviour, including begging
• obstruction of building entrances and fire exits

The penalty for breaking a PSPO is a fine of £100. If the fine is not paid, court proceedings may be started, and the fine can increase to up to £1,000.

Have your say

You can share your views by completing a short survey on the council’s website. Your feedback will help to inform the final decision on the future of the PSPO. The consultation closes at midnight on Friday 22 August 2025.

Protecting our residents

Councillor Jasbir Anand, the council’s cabinet member for tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, said: “We want to ensure our public spaces are safe, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour is a shared responsibility, and this consultation is your opportunity to help shape meaningful action to protect the spaces we all value.”