New Public Spaces Protection Order to be introduced in Preston City Centre

Starting in December, Preston City Council will introduce a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in partnership with Preston Police to address crime and anti-social behaviour in key areas of the city centre.

The city centre PSPO is to be introduced following public consultation earlier in the year.

The Council has also consulted other local organisations. The area to be included in the order is within the City Centre Ward and the anti-social behaviour to be challenged will be that which is persistent, unreasonable and has a detrimental effect on other people using those public spaces.

Councillor Freddie Bailey, Cabinet Member for environment and community safety at Preston City Council, said:

"As we approach the festive season, it's vital that people in the city centre feel safe to enjoy themselves. By collaborating with Preston Police, the Council will be able to reduce anti-social behaviour and enhance public safety.

This will be the first order of its kind to be introduced into Preston and this new enforcement initiative demonstrates our joint commitment to keeping the city centre an attractive place to visit."

Prior to the PSPO's introduction, authorised officers of the Council will advise residents and visitors about the new measures and the implications of breaching the order. When the order commences, the Police and Council officers will work jointly to give official warnings for breaches of the order and to report serious or repeat violations for enforcement, including £100 fixed penalty fines.

Dave Byrne, Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Preston, said:

"Anti-social behaviour can have a profound impact on people's lives. As part of Operation Centurion, our force response to tackling anti-social behaviour, we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that those who live in, work and visit Preston can feel safe and enjoy their time here."

Under Sections 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, the City Centre PSPO will enforce the following:

1. No persons shall consume alcohol or have an open alcohol container within the Prohibition Area marked red on the plan after having been requested by an Authorised Officer to cease consumption of alcohol or hand over the container (unless in an otherwise lawful premises).
2. No persons shall ingest, inhale, inject, smoke, or otherwise use intoxicating substances within the Prohibition Area.  Intoxicating substances being defined as substances with the capacity to stimulate or depress the central nervous system or psychoactive substances - but does not include tobacco or prescription medication.
3. No persons shall urinate or defecate in any public place (other than a public toilet) within the Prohibition Area.
4. No persons shall discard hypodermic needles or syringes in any public place within the Prohibition Area (except in an appropriate sharp container).
5. No persons shall occupy a tent or other temporary structure within the Prohibition Area in a manner likely to create a health and safety risk for other people.
6. No persons shall obstruct a building entrance or exit, stairwell, or highway in the Prohibition Area after being asked to move by an authorised officer.
7. No persons shall use sound amplification equipment in any place (other than premises or vehicles where these activities are permitted under their licence conditions and with the expressed permission of the licence holder) within the Prohibition Area at a volume or in a manner that causes harassment, alarm or distress to any person and fail, without reasonable excuse, to reduce the volume or stop using the amplification equipment if requested to do so by an Authorised Officer.
8. No persons shall act or incite others to act in an anti-social manner likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.