Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO)

We can create a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and if it is implemented, it would mean that offenders would be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Why do we need a PSPO?

A PSPO would give the Council, the Police and other organisations less bureaucratic powers to tackle some anti-social issues that could put people off visiting the city and we want our city as welcoming as possible. A PSPO doesn’t reduce the powers that are available to the Police – it adds to them and allows them, as well as trained Council and partner staff, to issue fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour rather than relying on the criminal justice route.

What happens if people can’t afford to pay the fines?

We will give additional time to people suffering hardship and put them in touch with any agencies that can support them. Where people refuse to pay, the Council’s policy is to prosecute. Fixed penalty notices are issued as a last resort following a warning.