Public spaces protection orders (PSPOs)

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. We are working with Essex Police to enable the effective enforcement of the PSPO.

PSPO in Southend-on-Sea

On the 12July 2025, following a period of consultation the Southend City Centre, seafront and adjoining areas PSPO was extended for 3 years under section 60 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

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. Following a further period of consultation, the Car cruise PSPO was renewed on 12 July 2025 for a further 3 years under section 60 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 with no additional amendments.

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 12 July 2025 and following a period of consultation, the Leigh-on-Sea PSPO was extended for 3 years under section 60 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 with no additional amendments.

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.

Private Water Craft (PWC) and BBQ PSPO

On the 1 November 2022 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 Private Water Craft (PWC) and BBQ PSPO was renewed on 12 July 2025 for a further 3 years under section 60 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 with no additional amendments.

The PSPO is now in a 'Restricted Area' being the BBQ restricted area covering the foreshore from Old Leigh to East Beach and the PWC restricted area covering 400m from the foreshore from Two Tree Island to East Beach including proximity to the Pier, shaded red and blue on the plan. The PSPO has been brought in to prohibit the occurrence and recurrence of the following activities :

  • Launching and recovering Personal Water Craft in the PWC Restricted Area otherwise than from the designated permitted launch site.
  • The use of Personal Water Craft in the PWC Restricted Area in a manner that poses a risk to the safety of people, wildlife or property.
  • The use of Personal Water Craft in the PWC Restricted Area in a manner that has the potential to cause harassment, alarm and/or distress to any other beach or coastal water users or residents.
  • The non-adherence to the Southend-on-Sea City Beach and Coastal Waters Code applicable to Personal Water Craft.
  • The use and disposal of all barbecues (BBQs) in a Public place within the BBQ Restricted Area.

A copy of the Southend-on-Sea City Beach and Coastal Waters Code of practice applicable to Personal Water Craft use can be found on our website.

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.

Dog Control PSPO

On the 1 May 2021 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 Dog Control PSPO was renewed on 12 July 2025 for a further 3 years under section 60 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 with no additional amendments.

The PSPO is now in a 'Restricted Area' being any land in the administrative area of Southend on Sea City Council open to the air and to which the public are entitled to have access. The PSPO has been brought in to prohibit the occurrence and recurrence of the following activities :

  • If a dog defecates at any time within the Restricted Area described in schedule 1 and a Person in charge of the dog at that time fails to remove the faeces from the land forthwith or dispose of the faeces from the Restricted Area forthwith, that person shall be guilty of an offence.
  • Placing the faeces in a receptacle in the Restricted Area which is provided for the purpose, or for the disposal of waste, shall be sufficient removal from the land.
  • Being unaware of the defecation whether by reason of not being in the vicinity or otherwise, or not having a device for or other suitable means of removing the faeces shall not be an excuse for failing to remove the faeces.
  • A Person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence if at any time within the Restricted Area described in Schedule 1 they are in charge of more than the four dogs.
  • A Person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence if at any time within the Restricted Area described in Schedule 2 they do not keep the dog on the lead.
  • A Person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence, if at any time, in the Restricted Area described in Schedule 1, they do not comply with a direction given by an Authorised Officer to put and keep the dog on the lead.
  • An Authorised Officer may only give a direction under this paragraph 5(d) to put and keep a dog on the lead if such restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other person or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird.
  • A Person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence, if, at any time they take a dog onto, or permit a dog to enter or remain on, the Restricted Area as defined in Schedule 3.

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.

 

Go to top