FAQs
What is a Public Space Protection Order?
A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is a tool used by councils and their partners to deal with anti-social behaviour in their local areas.
They were introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), Crime and Policing Act 2014.
What is the 2021 Alcohol Control PSPO?
The 2021 Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) addresses concerns about anti-social behaviour related to public alcohol consumption in Norwich.
The PSPO gives the Police the power to warn a person not to consume alcohol in a public place if that person is committing anti-social behaviour or is judged to be likely to cause anti-social behaviour by continued consumption of alcohol. The warning lasts for a week and may be given verbally or in writing.
The PSPO also gives Police or other authorised officer the power to confiscate the alcohol from the person and dispose of the alcohol.
Failure to surrender the alcohol or continued consumption of alcohol is a breach of the PSPO.
Anyone found to be breaching the PSPO can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice and subsequently prosecuted if they fail to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice.
The PSPO will be used in conjunction with other tools and powers the police and partners already have to address the issue of alcohol-related ASB.
How is the PSPO enforced?
The PSPO gives the Police and authorised officers the power to warn a person not to consume alcohol in a public place if that person is committing anti-social behaviour or is judged to be likely to cause anti-social behaviour by continued consumption of alcohol. The warning lasts for a week and may be given verbally or in writing.
If that person continues to consume alcohol, then they are in breach of the PSPO and can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.
The PSPO also gives the Police and authorised officers the power to confiscate the alcohol from the person and dispose of the alcohol. Failure to surrender the alcohol is a breach of the PSPO.
What is classed as anti-social behaviour?
Anti-social behaviour is defined as conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person.
The aim of the PSPO is to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors by tackling behaviour that may be causing harm or nuisance in public spaces.
This includes behaviours like littering, noise disturbances, verbal abuse, physical abuse and public urination.
Does the PSPO ban alcohol in public spaces?
The PSPO doesn't ban drinking alcohol in public spaces. It only targets anti-social behaviour caused by drinking alcohol.