On 1 April, a new Public Spaces Protection Order [PSPO] came into force in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis. This Order was agreed before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shaped by the views of residents and partners, the PSPO allows authorised officers to instruct people to stop behaving anti-socially or drinking alcohol in public and alcohol can be confiscated and disposed of.
Anyone who does not comply with a request given by a police officer or authorised council officer may be issued with a fixed penalty notice or a summons to court.
Councillor Gill Yeates, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, said: “These new measures were drawn up after lengthy consultation with both residents and other partners to ensure that the issues that mattered most to people could be addressed in the PSPO.
“These measures will give designated council officers and the police greater power to disperse groups who are drinking or behaving anti-socially in public.”
To raise awareness of the new order, below is a quick guide to what it means for our residents and visitors.
What is a PSPO?
Public Spaces Protection Orders can be introduced by local authorities to tackle specific nuisance behaviour in public areas. A PSPO can require people in that area not to carry out certain activities and place requirements on them in order to comply with the Order.
Why is a new PSPO needed?
The Council’s 2017 PSPO ran for a period of three years and expired in March 2020. To ensure that public spaces are protected from anti-social behaviour, a new Order has been implemented following consultation with the public and partner agencies.
How does this affect me?
The conditions of the PSPO apply to everyone within the designated ‘restricted areas’. Anyone in these areas must abide by the conditions imposed. Failure to do so could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 or a fine of up to £1,000 if it ends up in court.
What are the restrictions of the PSPO?
Effectively, there is a control on drinking alcohol in public spaces within the restricted areas. This means that the police and officers authorised by the council can tell people to stop drinking and may confiscate their alcohol. In addition to the alcohol restriction, all people using the designated public areas are not permitted to act anti-socially.
How do I know if I am in the restricted area?
The designated restricted areas are in Littlehampton, Bognor Regis and surrounding areas. Signs highlighting the restrictions will be erected in prominent locations throughout these areas. Maps of the agreed restricted areas are shown within the blue/red lines below.
Where can I find out more information?
Full details of the Public Spaces Protection Order can be found at www.arun.gov.uk/pspo
