Have your say on extending measures to curb anti-social behaviour in Northampton

02 August 2023

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) are seeking residents’ views on renewing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Northampton to help tackle nuisance and problem behaviour.

The current PSPO covering the Northampton Town area was introduced in 2020 in response to issues of anti-social behaviour which included drug use, street drinking and urinating in public places.

A PSPO is a power that allows councils to impose restrictions on a defined area to tackle problem behaviour under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

It can deal with persistent and unreasonable nuisances and anti-social behaviour that has a negative effect on the quality of life for the local community in a particular area and intends to help ensure that members of the public and local communities can use and enjoy open areas and public spaces.

There is a legal requirement for the Council to have evidence to show the need for orders to be adopted, varied, or extended, therefore this consultation will be used to gather residents’ views on extending the PSPO for a further 3 years, up to September 2026.

The current Order prohibits:

• The use of intoxicating substances, including illegal or psychoactive substances
• Having an item in possession to use/take an intoxicating substance, this includes needles and smoking devices that are not e-cigarettes
• Consumption of alcohol in unauthorised or unlicensed open areas, for example on streets
• Urinating or defecating in public places, unless a toilet has been provided for that purpose
• Spitting
• Riding a bike or scooter when requested not to do so by the Police or a Council authorised person
• Busking when requested not to do so by the Police or a Council authorised person
• Failure to comply with the Order is subject to a fine.

The current Order also has provision for the control of dogs, however this has been removed from this renewal and is now covered under a separate Order. A full version of the updated PSPO can be viewed on the West Northamptonshire Council website

We welcome the views of all local people and businesses and I hope everyone who cares about Northampton will take the opportunity to give us their feedback as part of this consultation.

Creating safer communities with less anti-social behaviour is one of the Council’s top priorities and we hope that by renewing this Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) we can help deter nuisance behaviour and make Northampton a safer and more pleasant place to live, work, and visit for everyone.Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement and Regulatory Services

The consultation opens today (2 August) and closes at midnight on Tuesday 12 September 2023. Anyone who would like to share their views about extending the Northampton Town PSPO can take part in the online survey via the Council’s Consultation Hub.