Consultation on a Proposed Borough-Wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)

Overview

Havering Council is consulting on a proposal to introduce a borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to help address certain types of anti-social behaviour in public spaces.

A PSPO is a legal tool that can place restrictions on specific behaviours where they are having a negative impact on local communities. The proposed Order is intended to support a consistent approach across Havering and help make public spaces safer, cleaner and more welcoming for residents, businesses and visitors.

The Council has identified a number of behaviours for consideration as part of this consultation:

• Alcohol Consumption in Public Spaces – People must stop drinking alcohol in public places if asked to do so by an authorised officer.

• Dog Fouling and Irresponsible Dog Ownership – Dog owners must clean up after their dogs and keep them under control in public places.

• Aggressive or Persistent Begging – People must not beg in a way that causes nuisance, intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress to others.

• Anti-Social Use of Bicycles, Mopeds, E-Scooters or E-Bikes – People must not use bicycles, mopeds, e-scooters or e-bikes in a dangerous, reckless or anti-social way in public places.

• Groups Causing Nuisance or Criminal Behaviour – Groups of two or more people must not gather in a way that causes nuisance, anti-social behaviour or criminal activity.

• Face Coverings Used to Hide Identity for Anti-Social Behaviour – People must not wear face coverings to hide their identity while causing, or intending to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to others. This does not apply to face coverings worn for religious, cultural or medical reasons.

• Urinating or Defecating in Public Places – People must not urinate or defecate in public places except when using a public toilet or other appropriate facility.

• Amplified Street Entertainment, Busking and Public Speaking – People must not use amplified sound in public places where it causes nuisance, harassment, alarm or distress to others.

• Catapults and Projectile Devices – People must not carry or use catapults or other projectile devices in public places where they could cause harm, damage, nuisance, alarm or distress to others.

• Feeding Wildlife in Public Spaces – People must not feed wildlife or leave food in public places where it could cause nuisance, environmental damage, public health concerns or attract vermin.

No final decision has been made. The purpose of this consultation is to understand local views before the Council decides whether a borough-wide PSPO should be introduced and, if so, which restrictions should be included.

Why your views matter

Your views are important and will help shape the Council’s final decision.

We want to understand:

• Whether you have experienced any of the behaviours included in this consultation.

• Whether you think the proposed restrictions would help reduce anti-social behaviour.

• Whether you think the proposed restrictions would improve people's experience of public spaces.

• Whether the restrictions should apply across the whole borough or only in specific areas.

• Whether you support or oppose the introduction of a borough-wide PSPO.

After the consultation closes, the Council will review all responses alongside other available evidence. If a PSPO is introduced, the final Order will set out the restrictions, any exemptions and how it would be enforced. Breaching a PSPO without a reasonable excuse may be an offence and could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecution where appropriate.

Residents, businesses, visitors, community groups and other stakeholders are encouraged to take part and share their views.