Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is a legal power under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. It allows councils to deal with behaviours that negatively affect people’s quality of life in public spaces. 

PSPOs help make public spaces safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Councils can use a PSPO to: 

• ban or restrict certain behaviours in a specific area 
• apply rules that affect everyone in that area

What is anti-social behaviour? 

Anti-social behaviour is anything that causes harassment, alarm or distress to others. It is defined within section 2 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. 

Who can make a PSPO? 

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 states that councils can create a PSPO after consulting with: 

• the police, via the Police and Crime Commissioner, chief of police and local representatives 
• members of the public 
• the owner or occupier of the land and Highway Authority if relevant 
• community representatives the council determines are appropriate