Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) - Print version

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We can create a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and if it is implemented, it would mean that offenders would be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Why do we need a PSPO?

A PSPO would give the Council, the Police and other organisations less bureaucratic powers to tackle some anti-social issues that could put people off visiting the city and we want our city as welcoming as possible. A PSPO doesn’t reduce the powers that are available to the Police – it adds to them and allows them, as well as trained Council and partner staff, to issue fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour rather than relying on the criminal justice route.

What happens if people can’t afford to pay the fines?

We will give additional time to people suffering hardship and put them in touch with any agencies that can support them. Where people refuse to pay, the Council’s policy is to prosecute. Fixed penalty notices are issued as a last resort following a warning.

Public Space Protection Orders - Current

Public Space Protection Order

Date created (updated)

Expiry date

Dog Control Order [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/201/street_scene/2984/public_space_protection_orders_pspo/4]

28 August 2021 (updated)

29 August 2024

Edgwick Park [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/201/street_scene/2984/public_space_protection_orders_pspo/5]

10 February 2022 (updated)

11February 2025

City Centre [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/201/street_scene/2984/public_space_protection_orders_pspo/3]

17 July 2023 (updated)

17 July 2026

City Wide [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/201/street_scene/2984/public_space_protection_orders_pspo/2]

10 October 2020 (updated)

10 October 2023
St Michael's and surrounding area [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/201/street_scene/2984/public_space_protection_orders_pspo/6] 12 April 2022 (updated) 13 April 2025

Public Space Protection Order (City wide)

The Citywide PSPO was introduced to control problematic drinking of alcohol in the city’s public spaces. In addition it allows officers to confiscate any canisters of Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) as this has been identified as an emerging public health risk and is also associated with Anti Social Behaviour.

It also brings in powers to deal with the nuisance use of vehicles, mainly motorcycles, across the city.  Anyone in possession of a vehicle that isn’t taxed and insured for use on the public highway, or if on private land, hasn’t the express permission of the land owner, are in breach of the Order.

Breach of the Citywide PSPO can result in a fixed penalty notice being issued, or a summons to court.

Further information:

  • The Cabinet Report
  • The results of the Consultation
  • The Public Space Protection Order

Information about how the PSPO is being enforced can be found at the below:

Public Spaces Protection Order (City Centre) 2016, varied 2023

Coventry City Council Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Section 59 Public Spaces Protection Order (City Centre) 2023

This Order is made by Coventry City Council ("the Council") under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Section 59 ("the Act").

1. This Order relates to the public space within the area edged in red on the plan of Coventry City Centre which appears at Appendix One [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/24799/city_centre_pspo_plan], being public space in the Council's area to which the Act applies ("the Restricted Area").

2. The Council is satisfied that the two conditions below have been met, in that:-

  1. activities carried on in the restricted area as described below have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, or it is likely that these activities will be carried on in the public place and they will have such an effect;
  2. the effect, or likely effect, of the activities is, or is likely to be, of a persistent or continuing nature, is, or is likely to be, such as to make the activities unreasonable, and justifies the restrictions imposed by the Order.
  3. By this Order

3. The effect of the Order is to impose the following prohibitions and/or requirements in the Restricted Area at all times, unless specifically stated:-

a. Begging

Any person is prohibited from begging. The act of begging is deemed as either approaching people for money, or being stationary and directly asking for money, or positioned on the floor to invite the offer of money or goods.

b. Peddling / street trading

Any person is prohibited from, at any time, peddling/trading goods within the restricted area without an appropriate street trading consent issued by the Council.

c. Distribution of publicity materials

Any person is prohibited from distributing any materials for commercial gain unless they have the appropriate prior permission of the Council. Registered charities and religious organisations are exempt.

d. Charity or commercial subscription collectors

Any person is prohibited from, soliciting for the completion of subscription charity collections. Exemptions are granted on land within the area marked in blue detailed on the plan of Coventry City Centre. Appropriate permission to carry out cash collections in the City Centre should be obtained from the Council in advance.

e. Buskers and street performers

Any person is prohibited from performing contrary to the ‘Coventry City Centre Code of Conduct for Performers [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/201/street_scene/2985/busking_in_coventry_city_centre].

f. Pedal cycles, skateboarding and manual scooters

Any person riding a pedal cycle, skateboarding or riding a manual scooter must do so in a careful and considerate manner and must dismount if requested to do so by an enforcing officer when continuing to ride would cause a danger to the public or public offence. Failure to comply will leave them liable to enforcement.

g. E-bikes and E-scooters

Any person is prohibited from riding, cycling, or using an E-bike or E-scooter, within the protected area shown on the attached map (Appendix Two [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/41265/appendix-two-pedestrianised-area]). Unless:

  1. that person has a reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or
  2. the owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to that person failing to do so.

Any person may push and walk alongside their E-bike, or E-scooter through the defined area.

Exemption:

Nothing in this order applies to a person who uses a mobility scooter for access reasons or a person who uses an E-bike or E-scooter as a mobility aid and cannot safely dismount and push a cycle for any significant distance, but these persons must use these aids in a careful and considerate manner.

Offences under this Public Space Protection Order:

  1. A person who is guilty of an offence shall on summary conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
  2. A Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.00 will be issued to offenders (reduced to £60.00 if paid within 14 days) which would discharge any liability to conviction for an offence under Section 67(1) of the Act.
  3. This order may be cited as 'The Public Space Protection Order (City Centre)’ and shall come into force on November 20th 2023 and remain in force for a period of three years.

Enforcement activity will be happening in pedestrianised areas of the City Centre. This activity will be random and on different days and times, including weekends and evenings.

Further information:

Information about how the PSPO is being enforced:

Public Space Protection Order (Dog Control)

Public Space Protection Order (Coventry Dog Control) was created on 15 June 2021 and will run for 3 years from this date.

Dog Control Orders

  • Dog fouling of land. 
  • Owners are required to keep dogs on a lead in certain specified places within Coventry and on all public streets.
  • If a dog is causing a nuisance to other dogs, dog walkers or members of the public the dog owner can be instructed to put their dog on a lead by an Authorised Officer from the Council.
  • There are restrictions on owners taking dogs into certain areas e.g. children's play areas.
  • A person is only allowed to walk 6 dogs at any one time (this would include professional dog walkers).

Failure to comply with a DCO will result in the dog’s owner being issued with a fixed penalty notice. In the event of the fixed penalty notice not being paid, it is the Council’s policy to prosecute. This would result in the person receiving a criminal record.

2015

  • The Cabinet Report 2015
  • The results of the consultation 2015
  • The Public Space Protection Order 2015

2018

  • The Cabinet Report 2018
  • The results of the consultation 2018
  • The Public Space Protection Order 2018

2021

  • The Cabinet Report 2021
  • Location maps 2021
  • Impact Statements 2021

Information about how the PSPO is being enforced:

Public Spaces Protection Order (Edgwick Park Anti-Social Behaviour)

The Council of the City of Coventry (“the Council”) hereby makes the following Public Spaces Protection Order (Edgwick Park Anti-Social Behaviour) under Sections 59 to 75 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

  1. This Order shall come into operation on 29th April 2019 and shall have effect for a period of 3 years thereafter, unless extended by further orders under the Council’s statutory powers.
  2. This Order relates to Edgwick Park and the bordering streets (“the Designated Area”)as shown edged in red on the plan.
  3. The purpose of this order is to prevent any activities associated with Child Sexual Exploitation or any type of anti-social behaviour in the Designated Area including but not limited to fighting, drinking alcohol, drug taking and dealing, urinating and littering. The Council makes this Order because it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that groups of people within the Designated Area are and have carried out anti-social activities including the procurement of young people for sex. These activities are persistent and continuing and have resulted in members of the community feeling intimidated and unsafe.
  4. The effect of this Order is to prohibit the congregation of groups of 2 or more persons in the Designated Area where the behaviour of some or all members of the group has or is likely to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the community.

Further information:

  • The Cabinet Report 2016
  • The results of the consultation 2016
  • The Public Space Protection Order 2016
  • The Cabinet Report 2019
  • The results of the consultation 2019
  • The Public Space Protection Order 2019

Information about how the PSPO is being enforced:

Public Space Protection Order (St Michael's and surrounding area)

This order was agreed at Cabinet on the 11 June 2019 and came into operation on that day. It covers the area of St Michael's Ward and connected areas.

This order has been created to prevent any activities associated with Child Exploitation, both sexual and criminal and any other type of anti-social behaviour in the Designated Area including but not limited to:

  • violence, including the use of weapons
  • alcohol misuse
  • drug taking and dealing
  • Abusive and intimidating behaviour and language.

Breach of this PSPO can result in a fixed penalty notice being issued, or a summons to court.

Further information:

  • The Cabinet Report
  • The results of the Consultation
  • The Public Space Protection Order
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