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Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)

PSPOs in force across West Northamptonshire

Find PSPOs that are currently in force throughout the entirety of the West Northamptonshire area

The Order may be cited as the West Northamptonshire Council (Car Cruising) Public Spaces Protection Order 2025

Upon finding that the activity of car cruising is having a detrimental effect, of a persistent or continuing nature, on the quality of life of those in the locality, and that the conduct is unreasonable, West Northamptonshire Council ("the Council") makes the following Public Spaces Protection Order under section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 ("the Act") relating to the land described by the area of the map at Appendix 1 (“the Restricted Area”).

The restricted area is land, being land in the administrative area of the Council, to which the public or any section of the public have access, on payment or otherwise, as right or by virtue of express or implied permission, is land to which the Act applies and will be protected by this 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 The Order may be cited as the West Northamptonshire Council (Car Cruising) Public Spaces Protection Order 2025.

Prohibitions

All persons are prohibited at all times from the following within the Restricted Area:

  1. Participating in any car cruising activity as a passenger or driver of a motor vehicle.
  2. Congregating to spectate any cruising activity undertaken in the restricted area.

Definition

Car cruising is defined as any of the below activities, or combination of:

  • driving a motor vehicle at excessive speed or in a manner causing or likely to cause a nuisance to persons in the locality of the restricted area
  • revving the engine of a motor vehicle causing or likely to cause a nuisance to persons in the locality of the restricted area
  • while driving, sudden or rapid acceleration of a motor vehicle causing or likely to cause a nuisance to persons in the locality of the restricted area
  • driving motor vehicles in a convoy in a manner causing or likely to cause a nuisance to persons in the locality of the restricted area
  • while driving a motor vehicle racing other motor vehicles causing or likely to cause a nuisance to persons in the locality of the restricted area
  • leaving the engine of a stationary motor vehicle to run idle in in a manner causing or likely to cause a nuisance to persons in the locality of the restricted area
  • performing stunts using a motor vehicle in a manner causing or likely to cause a nuisance to persons in the locality of the restricted area. Stunts include but are not limited to: handbrake turns, drifting, wheelies, wheel spins and doughnuts
  • sounding motor vehicle horns other than in accordance with the highway code in a manner causing or likely to cause a nuisance to persons in the locality of the restricted area
  • playing amplified music from, or powered by, a motor vehicle in a manner causing or likely to cause a nuisance to persons in the locality of the restricted area
  • causing obstruction on a public highway, whether moving or stationary in a manner causing or likely to cause a nuisance to persons in the locality of the restricted area

Interpretation

“Authorised Person” means any person authorised in writing by the Council to enforce the above prohibitions and to make requirements permitted by this Order and the Act. 

“Nuisance” is defined as including but is not limited to: 

  • excessive noise
  • danger or risk of injury
  • damage or significant risk of damage to property
  • significant risk of harm
  • significant public nuisance or annoyance

Enforcement

Under section 67 of the Act, breach of any prohibition contained in this Order is an offence, for which a person will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1000.

An authorised person may issue any person committing an offence by breach of this order with a Fixed Penalty Notice (“FPN”) of £100 as an alternative to prosecution, but only if paid within 14 days of issue.

This Order comes into force on Wednesday 25 June 2025 for a period of three years from that date. It may be extended pursuant to section 60 of the Act.

Map

West Northants Cabinet have approved a variation to the PSPO which now also applies to the Northampton area of West Northamptonshire

Existing authority of the PSPO

The PSPO was already in place across Daventry and South areas of West Northamptonshire and helps promote responsible dog ownership, and now prohibits smoking in certain public spaces across the whole of West Northamptonshire.

Date

The Order came into effect from 3 October 2023.

Requirements and restrictions

The requirements and restrictions of the variation to the Order are summarised as follows. 

Anyone who is in control of a dog in a public place must:

  • pick up after the dog immediately
  • have the appropriate means to pick up after that dog
  • prohibit dogs from entering children’s play areas, schools when open and in use by pupils, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and bowling greens
  • put the dog on a lead when requested to do so by an Authorised Person
  • restrict the number of dogs that can be walked by one person to a maximum of 4 dogs at any one time, unless they are a licensed boarder, breeder or dog day care provider whereby a maximum of 6 can be walked at any one time

Anyone who is in control of a dog in a public place must keep the dog on a lead when in:

  • cemeteries, burial sites, graveyards and memorial gardens
  • allotments
  • car parks
  • sports grounds
  • fields and pitches, when in use for authorised sporting activity
  • land near the café area at Daventry Country Park
  • Northampton Town Centre
  • land at Upton Country Park Phase 2 (land between Kislingbury and Upton
  • near schools when open and in use by pupils

In addition, smoking of:

  • tobacco or tobacco related products
  • smokeless tobacco products including electronic cigarettes, herbal cigarettes or any illegal substances

is prohibited in: 

  • children’s play areas
  • land near schools when open and in use by pupils
  • skateparks
  • tennis courts
  • multi-use games areas (MUGAs)
  • bowling greens

Breach of the Order

A £100 fixed penalty notice (FPN) may be issued if you fail to comply with any of the requirements or restrictions contained within the varied PSPO.

Cabinet decision

View the Cabinet decision for the variation of the PSPO for Dog Control and Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places 2022 (as varied September 2023) Item number 18.

Contact details

Email address: [email protected] 
Telephone: 01327 302260

Reporting a breach of a PSPO

To report a breach of a PSPO in force across West Northamptonshire, please email [email protected].

Last updated 25 June 2025