A round-up of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in and around London.
In west London, Hounslow Council has gone out to consultation for a PSPO for Montague Road West Car Park, close to Hounslow High Street. The order would ban there littering, obstructing entrances, taking ‘legal highs’, rough sleeping and other anti-social behaviour, such as public defecation and loitering. The consultation runs to October 6 and if approved, the PSPO would come into force on November 1 and last for the maximum permitted three years.
Pritam Grewal, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Customer Experience and Enforcement at Hounslow, said: “Residents, businesses and local policing teams have told us that this car park is a focus for anti-social behaviour, especially at night. Our ambition for Hounslow is that everyone can feel safe and take pride in their surroundings, and that’s why we’re proposing this PSPO, which would allow us to take decisive action to tackle the problem head-on, helping everybody feel safer. We want our decisions to be shaped by the voices, views and experiences of the communities they affect. If you can take ten minutes to share your views on these proposals, you’ll be helping improve our Borough for everyone.”
Also in west London, Kensington and Chelsea has a PSPO after a six-week public consultation in May and June, whereby police and authorised council officers can address alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in public areas. Lead member for community safety, Sarah Addenbrooke said:“This PSPO isn’t about stopping people from enjoying a drink in public. It’s about tackling the disruptive behaviour that impacts our communities. If someone’s drinking is linked to antisocial actions, our officers will have the power to intervene. This ensures our public spaces remain safe and enjoyable for everyone, while still respecting individual freedoms. Failure to comply with an officer’s request under the PSPO could result in a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice. Non-payment of this fine could lead to prosecution and a potential fine of up to £500.”
The council pointed to its annual Citizens Panel in April, which identified antisocial behaviour as the most witnessed (30 per cent) and experienced (14 per cent) crime. Most,90 per cent of panel members believed that stronger enforcement against antisocial behaviour would greatly impact crime rates and feelings of safety in their wards.
Hackney
In east London, Hackney Council has a PSPO covering Wick Woodland and Hackney Marshes; first made in 2019 and renewed in June 2022. This PSPO was in response to the growing number of complaints about unlicensed music events or raves and antisocial behaviour in Wick Woodland, Hackney Marshes and the surrounds. The PSPO, prohibiting ‘laughing gas’, amplified music and lighting fires, is due to expire in December and the council has gone out to consultation, proposing to renew it for three years until December 2028.
Seven have appeared in court, for breaching Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s PSPO (that outlaws public drinking of alcohol, begging, urinating in public, spitting and riding bikes or e-scooters on paths) made earlier in 2025, in cases brought by the council. Five were fined after being found guilty and two had their hearings adjourned.
Paul Wells, Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability, Licensing and Waste, said after the court cases: ”As these prosecutions demonstrate, we are determined to do all we can to deal effectively with anti-social behaviour.
”Our residents made it clear they wanted tougher action to deal with the small minority of people whose unacceptable behaviour has a negative impact on the lives of others. Our borough is a home, a place of work and a holiday and leisure destination and we are working hard to make a welcoming environment for everyone.
”We won’t tolerate highly visible street drinking and people feeling intimidated by anti-social behaviour. We will continue to bring prosecutions against the small number of people who choose to continue to breach this order and will push for the strongest possible sanctions and this PSPO is just one tool available.”
Thanet backs off
In Kent, Thanet District Council has backed off a PSPO proposed against ‘foul or abusive language’ in public. Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet, said: “This decision follows legal correspondence from the Free Speech Union relating to multiple aspects of the Public Spaces Protection Order. The council believes that entering into protracted legal disputes, at extensive cost to the local tax payer, should be avoided where an alternative approach can be taken.
“The intention is to review the order and to consult, both local people and relevant stakeholders, on any amendments.
“The Free Speech Union did not respond to the public consultation this year and their lawyers raised a large number of issues for the first time subsequent to the Cabinet decision to adopt the draft order in July.
“We do not believe that it is sensible for the first consideration of these matters to be in court, although at this stage we do not recognise them as having merit.
“The use of Public Spaces Protection Orders by local councils to help tackle antisocial behaviour is not unusual and the one agreed in July is predominantly based on provisions previously in force here from 2018 to 2024. There was overwhelming support from local people who responded to the consultation this year. Kent Police has also previously supported the implementation of this PSPO.”
At the Free Speech Union, Chief Legal Counsel Bryn Harris said that prohibiting ‘distressing’ speech is unlawful and will not withstand legal scrutiny.
Background
PSPOs dating from the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, are intended to deal with a particular problem or nuisance in a specific public space by imposing conditions of use on that area, typically against fouling by dogs.
Photo by Mark Rowe: outside Chelsea FC.
