Alcohol Public Spaces Protection Order 2015

Open for comments from 27 January to 10 February 2023, midnight.

We can make Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. 

PSPOs were created to deal with problems in public spaces which have a negative impact on the local community’s quality of life. A PSPO does this by stopping certain activities in the area it covers, for example stopping people drinking alcohol. If someone refuses to stop doing the activity covered by the PSPO it is a criminal offence and they can be fined £75.

In 2015, after a public consultation, we made a PSPO to stop people drinking alcohol or having an open container of alcohol on Mill Road Cemetery, Petersfield Green, and the front garden of Ditchburn Place. The PSPO does not cover the access steps to Petersfield Mansions. This PSPO has been renewed three times since then but is due to end on 31 May 2023. Before it ends we need to decide whether to renew the order, change it or allow it to end.

To renew the order we need to show that there is significant evidence that antisocial drinking of alcohol will get worse without the PSPO.

To change (or vary) the order we need to show that there is evidence to change the spaces that are covered by the PSPO or have evidence that there are other types of antisocial behaviour we need to stop.

In 2022 there were only two reports us about antisocial drinking in the areas covered by the PSPO. Reports to the police of antisocial drinking in the locations covered by the PSPOs have also reduced in the last three years. 

We think that the drinking of alcohol, in these areas, can be managed without the PSPO and so are looking to end it.

We plan to manage drinking of alcohol on these spaces by patrolling areas where people are drinking, engaging and educating people about the impact of antisocial drinking. Where needed, we will work with the police to issue Criminal Behaviour Orders to people whose behaviours negatively impact the local community.

We want to know if you agree with this and for you to share any evidence you may have about drinking on these open spaces.

Have your say

We want to know your thoughts on the PSPO, our proposal to manage drinking of alcohol on these open spaces differently and for you to share any evidence about people drinking alcohol on these open spaces.

Please complete our survey to have your say.

The link to the survey is located under the "About" section.

Next steps

After the consultation ends, we will write a committee report which will be shared with Councillors at the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 27 March 2023.