Public Space Protection Orders - Worcester City Council

What is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)?

A PSPO is an official measure that is an enforceable part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. PSPOs can be used to protect the public from behaviour that is having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality and is persistent and unreasonable (or likely to be).

What does a PSPO do?

The PSPO can restrict activities in a certain area, e.g. stop access along a footpath, restrict certain behaviour or allow alcohol to be confiscated. A breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence and can be enforced by a police officer, police community support officer and authorised Council officers. A Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100 can be issued or a fine of up to £1,000 on prosecution.

Current PSPOs

City Centre - Worcester City Council Public Spaces Protection Order 2021

The Communities Committee authorised the making of the PSPO on 10 March 2020, subject to a public consultation which was subsequently carried out. The Order came into force on the 29 March 2021 and expires on the 28 March 2024.

The effect of the PSPO is to prohibit pdf aggressive begging, dangerous cycling and skateboarding, and the intentional feeding of gulls (682 KB) in the pdf Restricted Area (4.78 MB) .

A person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the PSPO will be committing an offence and will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days).

Enforcement under the order will commence from the 3rd May 2021, following a period of education.

Alcohol – Worcester City Council Public Spaces Protection Order 2021

Following a public consultation, the Communities Committee authorised the making of the PSPO on 25 July 2018. The Order came into force on 13 August 2018 and now continues to have effect for a period of three years from 13 August 2021 unless extended by further orders under the Council’s statutory powers.

The effect of the PSPO is to prohibit pdf the consumption of alcohol or having an alcohol container (1.01 MB) within the pdf Restricted Area (898 KB) . This is known as the ‘Activity’. The order provides for individuals:

To desist from the Activity (or any action reasonably believed to be the Activity): and/or
To surrender any alcohol (or any item reasonably believed to be the Activity, including a container for alcohol) in their possession

An Authorised Officer may dispose of anything surrendered under this Order.

Dog Control - Worcester City Council Public Spaces Protection Order 2021

Following a public consultation on the control of dogs in public places, Worcester City Council received no objections. The Communities Committee authorised the making of the PSPO. The Order came into force on 25 November 2021 and expires on 5 July 2024.

The effect of the PSPO is to pdf regulate the control of dogs within the restricted areas at all times (823 KB) . The order provides for:

The removal of dog faeces by a person in charge of a dog.
A dog must not be taken into or kept in a “dog exclusion area”.
There is a maximum number of four dogs that can be under the supervision of a single person.

Footpath WR858 - Worcester City Council Public Spaces Protection Order 2023.

Following a public consultation on the closure of Footpath WR858 due to anti-social behaviour, Worcester City Council received no objections. The Communities Committee authorised the making of the PSPO on 8 June 2022. The Order comes into force on 4 September 2023 and expires on 3 September 2026.

The effect of the pdf PSPO is to restrict the public right of way over Footpath WR858 (586 KB) at all times to all persons. A person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the PSPO will be committing an offence and will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or a fixed penalty notice of up to £100.

Footpath WR678 - Worcester City Council Public Spaces Protection Order 2023.

Following a public consultation on the closure of Footpath WR678 due to anti-social behaviour, Worcester City Council received no objections. The Communities Committee authorised the making of the PSPO on 8 June 2022 The Order comes into force on 4 September 2023 and expires on 3 September 2026.

The effect of the pdf PSPO is to restrict the public right of way over Footpath WR678 (573 KB) at all times to all persons. A person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the PSPO will be committing an offence and will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or a fixed penalty notice of up to £100.