Here are some of the latest developments in Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).
Solicitors for the Church of Scientology asked Mid Sussex District Council to consider a PSPO to cover the church’s base in East Grinstead. A report for scrutiny committee councillors stated that the Scientologists wanted the order in time to cover an International Association of Scientology (ISA) weekend this month, so as to avoid a repeat of ‘demonstration activities’ in November 2023 by those opposing Scientology.
Like other councils, Mid Sussex has used the powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to make PSPOs covering dog control and the anti-social use of vehicles. A few councils have resorted to PSPOs as a way of doing something about silent vigils and prayers outside abortion clinics, that clinics complain intimidates people using their services. In December 2023, the High Court upheld a PSPO made by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to create a “safe zone” around an abortion clinic; in England and Wales, a similar 150m buffer zone around clinics is shortly to come into force; a separate, 200m zone is in force in Scotland; as featured in the November edition of Professional Security Magazine.
For Scientologists to seek a PSPO is highly unusual and potentially controversial (likely to lead to ‘international interest’, in the words of the report) – whatever the council decides; hence the council’s taking of legal advice and turning to the police, and the report to councillors stating that it was ‘crucial for the council to consider the statutory requirements and relevant legal precedents’. The report suggested that councillors ‘carefully weigh the Church’s request against the legal requirements, potential impacts on the human rights held by all stakeholders, and the need for proportionality’. The council opted to await the Scientologists’ event and gather evidence before any draft order and consultation as required by the 2014 Act.
Basildon wardens
A PSPO in Basildon in Essex, pictured, has been in place since April 2022, giving ‘authorised officers’, in the case of Basildon including its Community Safety Wardens powers to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in parks and town centres. The PSPO prohibits anti-social behaviour around alcohol and substance use, urination and defecation, use of motor vehicles, pony and traps, and car cruising.
The council says that the wardens provide a visible uniformed presence six days a week, engaging with the local businesses over concerns, responding to issues and reporting incidents.
Basildon Council has been out to consultation, due to close on Monday, October 21, as part of a review of the order, which will be presented to the council cabinet later in the year – visit https://basildoncommunitysafety.commonplace.is/. Locals are invited to anonymously drop a pin on an interactive borough safety map to confirm how safe or unsafe they feel in any location in the borough, and how they feel the location could be improved to increase public safety.
Melissa McGeorge, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said: “We believe in Basildon, and we want to make sure that our town centres, parks and estates are welcoming to everyone who would live, work and visit here. To do that, we need to understand how local people feel about the Public Spaces Protection Order and the deployment of the Community Safety Wardens.
“There is less than one week left for residents to have their voices heard on how safe they feel when out and about, and their experience of anti-social behaviour in the borough. The interactive map will inform us of the exact locations that you feel unsafe and provide information on how Basildon Council can improve these spaces, for example through the installation of CCTV or increased high visibility police patrols.
Scarborough hotspot
“We want to hear from as many people as possible to ensure our communities can feel safe wherever they are in our borough.”
Meanwhile in north Yorkshire, a new order covers most of Scarborough for the ‘control anti-social behaviour associated with the consumption of alcohol and urination and defecation in public spaces’.
Also, in a first for the county, the order will also see the drinking of alcohol in public in a specific area of the town centre forbidden. This ‘hotspot’ covers the main Falsgrave Road leading to the railway station, into the town centre pedestrianised area, around the station and nearby public spaces towards the beach. Licensed premises with outdoor seating areas are not affected.
North Yorkshire Council’s member for the Castle Division, Janet Jefferson, is the chair of the Scarborough Anti-Theft Group. She said: “Scarborough is a beautiful and welcoming town, but there are elements that can create a bad impression for people who visit the area and affect the quality of life for those who live here.
“I have been pushing for these measures for some time and I know they will be welcomed widely. These are tools we can add to what we have already and will make Scarborough a nicer and safer place for everyone.”
Visit northyorks.gov.uk/PSPO.
Heathrow parking nuisance
And in west London, Hillingdon Council is proposing a PSPO against nuisance due to vehicles waiting to collect passengers from Heathrow Airport. Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services said: “We know that taxis and private hire vehicles using residential streets near the airport to wait for passengers have been a long-standing nuisance for our residents.
“The drivers of these vehicles are already provided with official designated areas within the airport perimeter, but many continue to disregard this and cause disruption in our borough.
“The new PSPO would help us find a solution to improve the lives of our residents and ensure they live in safe and strong communities. I urge residents to participate in the consultation as your views and experiences will help ensure that we introduce a robust PSPO with effective enforcement action.”
Consultation will run until Friday, November 1; visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/heathrow-pspo-consultation.
