Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)

PSPOs in force across Northampton

West Northamptonshire Council (Northampton) Public Spaces Protection Order

A Public Spaces Protection Order was made by Northampton Borough Council on 18 September 2020 and may be cited as the Northampton Borough Council Public Spaces Protection Order 2020 (“the Order”).

This Order was made by Northampton Borough Council under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 Section 59 (‘the Act’) and was for a duration of three years. 

The requirements and restrictions of the Order are summarised as follows:

1. ingesting, injecting, smoking or otherwise using intoxicating substances, this includes illegal drugs or psychoactive substances (so-called "legal highs"), but excludes alcohol, tobacco or prescription medication
2. having in your possession any item that may be used to assist in the taking of intoxicating substances
3. consuming alcohol or having any open container of alcohol in your possession
4. urinating or defecating, other than in any toilet or lavatory set aside for that purpose
5. spitting
6. riding a bicycle, monocycle or scooter (whether manually or electrically powered) after a Police Constable or Authorised Person has requested you refrain from doing so
7. busking after a Police Constable or Authorised Person has requested you refrain from doing so

A copy of the Order can be viewed below.

Public Spaces Protection Order (Emporium Way) 2024

West Northamptonshire Council, in exercise of its powers under Section 59, 64 and 72 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 (‘the Act’), hereby makes the following Order, which shall be known as the “West Northamptonshire Council Public Spaces Protection Order (Emporium Way) 2024”.

Date

This Order shall come into operation on 8 January 2024 and shall have effect for a period of 3 years thereafter, unless extended by further orders under the Council’s statutory powers or those of any successor Local Authority.

Location

This Order relates to Emporium Way, which connects the north of the Market Square to Greyfriars, Lady’s Lane and the Mayorhold car park in Northampton, as shown marked red on the attached plan (‘the Restricted Area’).

Effect of Order

The effect of this Order is to restrict the public right of way over the Restricted Area for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and 52 weeks per year.

Breach of Order

Breach of this Order is a criminal offence, for which an offender is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (£1000), under section 67 of the Act.

A Constable or Authorised Person may issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (“FPN”) of not more than £100 to a person they reasonably believe has breached this Order, in accordance with section 68 of the Act, as an alternative to prosecution for an offence under section 67 of the Act if paid within 14 days of being issued.

Alternative pedestrian route

The alternative route for pedestrians between the Market Square to Greyfriars, Lady’s Lane and the Mayorhold car park is shown marked blue on the attached plan.

Maintenance

Responsibility for the maintenance of any fences and gates will lie with West Northamptonshire Council of One Angel Square, Angel Street, Northampton, NN1 1ED.

Exemptions

Police, Fire and Ambulance emergency services, statutory undertakers with equipment situated under, over, along or in the highway, Council Officers and other persons authorised by the Council, shall be exempt from the provisions of this Order.

Business premises with their only or principle means of access adjacent to the highway shall also be exempt from the provisions of this Order during periods when the premises are normally used for business purposes.

Disclaimer

The Council is satisfied that the conditions set out in Sections 59, 64 and 72 of the Act have been satisfied and that it is in all the circumstances expedient to make this Order for the purposes of reducing anti-social behaviour and criminal offences taking place in the Restricted Area. 

The Council makes the Order because the anti-social behaviour has had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality. The effect or likely effect of this is of a persistent or continuing nature such as to make this unreasonable and justifies the restrictions imposed by the Order.

In consulting upon the prohibitions within this Order and upon making it, the Council has had particular regard to the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly as set out in Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

High Court appeal

If any interested person desires to question the validity of this Order on the grounds that the Council had no power to make it, or that any requirement of the Act has not been complied with in relation to this Order, he or she may apply to the High Court within the period of six weeks from the date on which this Order is made.

Dunster Street

The public highway between Dunster Street and St Michael’s Road has been a hotspot for drug dealing, fly tipping and anti-social behaviour for many years.  

In the past, several recommendations were made for gating this highway, most recently due to arson, whereby rubbish was set on fire in the alley. 

In 2020 it was proposed to use the Crime and Policing Act (2014) to gate the alleyway 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Gating the Highway

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to gate the alleyway was approved by Cabinet on 20 January 2021 and planning permission granted 16 March 2021. 

Jeyes Jetty

The public highway between Drapery and College Street has been a longstanding hotspot for crime and anti-social behaviour. Following the tragic death of a young man in the alley in 2019 it was proposed to use the Crime and Policing Act (2014) to gate the alleyway 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Gating the alley

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to gate the alleyway was approved by Cabinet on 16 October 2019 and was brought into effect on 8 March 2021. 

Francis Jetty

The views of local residents and businesses were sought as part of a six-week consultation around the proposal to gate Northampton Town Centre alleyway, Francis Jetty. The consultation ran from 8 November to 19 December, 2022.

Francis Jetty is located off Bridge Street, Northampton, and provides a shortcut to Kingswell Street and nearby St Peters Way car park. However, for many years the jetty has attracted persistent illicit activities and anti-social behaviour such as drug dealing and sexual assault.

To tackle these behaviours, West Northamptonshire Council proposed making a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to gate the public highway, using its powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Gating the Jetty

The plans have been approved meaning that Francis Jetty will be gated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with access to Kingswell Street still available via alternative routes.

Marble Arch

The highway known as Marble Arch is an alleyway that connects Barrack Road and Ash Street. It was originally gated using a PSPO in 2018 following persistent illegal activities and anti-social behaviour. 

Following consultation a renewal of this PSPO has been approved for another 3 years with the new order in force from 8 January 2024.

Last updated 25 June 2025