Public Space Protection Orders

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) were introduced to tackle problems such as graffiti, drinking alcohol in public and other nuisance behaviour that affects the quality of life for other people.

Including an activity in a PSPO effectively bans people from that activity in the area covered by the PSPO.

Police officers and Canterbury City Council enforcement officers would have powers to remove and dispose of relevant items and issue an on the spot fixed penalty notice. 

The activities that could be banned that are not in our existing PSPOs could include:

• bringing or releasing any canister containing compressed gas such as nitrous oxide onto council-controlled land such as a beach, park, open space or car park
• lighting barbecues on the council’s beaches or open spaces
• taking glass onto a council-controlled beach
• flying or controlling a drone or a model aircraft near a council-controlled beach or an open space unless qualified
• bringing or possessing a firearm, air weapon or catapult into a council park or open space
• interfering with, trapping or attempting to trap or snare or disturb any wildlife on council-owned or controlled land

If you have evidence of any of these being a problem, please tell us about it – this is really important, as things can only be included in a PSPO if we can prove that:

• The activity is having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality
• The impact of the activity is persistent or continuing
• The impact of the activity is unreasonable

Have your say

Give us your views by completing our questionnaire before 5pm on Sunday 30 August 2020 .  

The results of this consultation will be reported to councillors later in 2020 before the revised PSPOs are implemented.

Published: 9 July 2020