Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) deal with problems that spoil the quality of life in your local community - they set out rules about behaviour in a 'public space' so that it's:
- safer for everyone
- available to use and enjoy by law-abiding people
- free from anti-social behaviour
A wide range of behaviours can be managed through the restrictions or positive requirements in a PSPO, especially when other targeted methods of dealing with problems haven't been successful.
A PSPO on its own does not solve anti-social behaviour in open spaces and must be used alongside a range of measures delivered through a multi-agency approach.
A PSPO can last for up to 3 years, after which it must be reviewed. Following a review a PSPO can be extended for a further 3 years; there's no limit on the number of times a PSPO can be reviewed and renewed.
Making Public Space Protection Orders
We make a PSPO when we're 'satisfied on reasonable grounds' that activities carried out (or likely to be carried out), in a public space:
- have a detrimental effect on the quality of life for people in the area
- will be persistent or continuing
- are unreasonable
- justify the restrictions imposed
We consult with the police to:
- share information about problems in local communities
- review previous actions which addressed problem behaviour
- discuss the practicalities of enforcing PSPOs
We also consult with community representatives, specific groups and individuals, such as members of local Residents' Associations, regular users of parks, or those troubled by specific activities, such as busking or street entertainers.
We must also consult with the Chief Constable and North Yorkshire Police and the Deputy Mayor of the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority in their role as statutory consultees.
We make details of each PSPO publicly available before it comes into force, in accordance with regulations published by the Secretary of State.
All PSPO areas are marked with appropriate signs.
Enforcing PSPOs
In York, PSPOs are enforced by our Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers and the police.
It's an offence to break the rules within a PSPO. We take a staged approach to enforcement to ensure that any action is proportionate and appropriate.
Breaching a PSPO
Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence. If appropriate, a Fixed Penalty Notice can be issued.
Find out what happens when you receive an FPN for breaching a PSPO and how to pay an FPN.
Read more about Fixed Penalty Notices on GOV.UK.
Discharged DPPOs
'Designated Public Place Orders' (DPPOs) had previously led to the creation of 'Alcohol Restriction Zones' (ARZ) in the following areas:
- Clarence Gardens
- Cleveland Street
- Clifton Moor Community Church
- Duncombe Place
- Exhibition Square
- Glen Gardens, Heworth
- Museum Gardens
- Poppleton Community Centre
- Rawcliffe/Clifton Library
- Rawcliffe Lake
- Salisbury Terrace
- Union Terrace
- Walmgate
- Woodthorpe Green
With the replacement of DPPOs by PSPOs (on 20 October 2017) we have 'discharged' these orders, as evidence was not available regarding ongoing problems with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
Also see
- PSPO and Alcohol Restriction Zones Dataset (York Open Data)
- Alley gates
- People and communities
Neighbourhood Enforcement Team
Community Safety Hub