Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are intended to deal with anti-social behaviours within a particular area that have a detrimental impact on the local community’s qualify of life, by imposing restrictions on activities in that area which apply to everyone. They are designed to ensure the law-abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour.
Enforcement of a PSPO
Failure to comply with a PSPO is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution which could lead upon conviction to a fine of up to £1,000 or a fixed penalty notice of £100.
PSPOs can be enforced by the police, council enforcement officers or any other authorised officers. The Council is working with Essex Police to enable the effective enforcement of the PSPO.
PSPO in Southend-on-Sea
On the 11 July 2019 and following a period of consultation the Council made a PSPO under section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Following a further period of consultation, the Town Centre PSPO was renewed on 12 July 2022 for a further 3 year period and now includes 2 additional prohibited behaviours along with a slight amendment to the restricted area”.
The PSPO is now in force in a ‘Restricted Area’ that includes Southend Town Centre, Southend Seafront, Southchurch Hall Gardens, Hamlet Court Road, York Road and the Queensway Estate (as shaded pink on the plan). The PSPO has been brought in to prohibit the occurrence and recurrence of the following activities:
- urination, defecation, spitting or littering
- drinking alcohol or failing to surrender any containers believed to contain alcohol when an authorised officer has asked someone to stop in the Drinking Control Area
- drinking alcohol outside the Drinking Control Area but in the Restricted Area and behaving in an anti-social manner or failing to surrender any containers believed to contain alcohol when an authorised officer has asked someone to stop
- taking drugs or substances believed to be psychoactive
- begging
- approaching or stopping someone with the intent of asking for details to set up payments for the benefit of charitable or other purposes, unless authorised by the Council.
- sleeping in a public place in a manner that has a detrimental impact on the quality of life of others in the locality
- putting up tents
- cycling in areas meant for walking, or using bikes in a way that has a negative effect for others
- using electric scooters in areas meant for walking, or the use of electric scooters in a way which is unsafe to others in the area and which pose a risk to walkers or road users.
The new cycling restriction does not apply to cycling by:
- Police Officers
- Police Community Support Officers
- other people permitted by the Council
The new electric scooter restriction does not apply to those using:
- mobility scooters
- wheelchairs
- mobility aids
The Drinking Control Area is shaded blue on the plan.
The purpose of the PSPO is to assist in tackling the repeat offenders whose anti-social behaviour makes the ‘Restricted Area’ a less pleasant place to be. The PSPO is intended as a last resort once it is clear that all attempts of assistance by the Council have been unsuccessful. Further, the purpose of the PSPO is also not to target people based solely on the fact that someone is homeless or rough sleeping. The Council will continue to assist such individuals who require help and support.
Car cruise PSPO
On the 4 April 2023 the council made a PSPO under section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The PSPO is now in force in a ‘restricted area’ across the city.
It has been brought in to ban the following activities:
- excessive noise of any kind including but not limited to horns, music, or noise from vehicle modifications such as to cause, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or nuisance
- conduct that causes or is likely to cause danger to road users and pedestrians
- conduct that causes or is likely to cause damage or risk of damage to any property
- driving at excessive speed
- driving in convoy such as to cause or is likely to cause public nuisance
- racing other motor vehicles
- performing stunts in motor vehicles
- dropping litter
- shouting, swearing, abusing or otherwise intimidating another person
- parking and exiting motor vehicles whilst left in a non-designated parking space
- inhalation of nitrous oxide
The purpose of the PSPO is assist in tackling these behaviours from:
- continuing
- occurring
- reoccurring
PSPO in Leigh-on-Sea
On 1st August 2021 and following a period of consultation, the Council made a PSPO under Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The PSPO is now in a “Restricted Area” that includes High Street, Old Leigh, Leigh Library Gardens, Chalkwell seafront and joining into the existing Town Centre PSPO on the seafront in Westcliff by The Leas as shaded pink on the plan. The PSPO has been brought in to prohibit the occurrence and recurrence of the following activities -;
- urination
- defecation
- littering
- spitting
- drinking alcohol and behaving in an anti-social manner or failing to surrender any containers (sealed or unsealed) believed to contain alcohol when an authorised officers has asked someone to stop
- taking drugs or substances believed to be psychoactive
The purpose of the PSPO is to assist in tacking the repeat offenders whose anti-social behaviour makes the “Restricted Area” a less pleasant place to be.