BCP Council vows to make better use of Public Spaces Protection Orders

A COUNCIL has vowed to make greater use of new measures designed to crack down on anti-social behaviour and protect the environment.

Following a public consultation, BCP Council said it will be making increased use of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to “enhance” coastal and open spaces.

The council said Coastal PSPOs and Open Spaces PSPOs put restrictions and requirements on potentially harmful activities in designated public areas to ensure they “remain safe and enjoyable spaces”.

The orders work alongside by-laws to help tackle and manage issues like anti-social behaviour and drinking alcohol in public places.

PSPOs allow council officers to issue immediate fines without the need for court proceedings, take direct action within the designated area to stop prohibited behaviours, and confiscate goods, such as alcohol, which are contributing to violations of PSPO conditions.

An authority spokesperson said: “The orders can be modified to target issues in specific areas, and empower a wider range of personnel, including BCP Council’s seafront and parks staff, to ensure versatile enforcement.”

The Coastal PSPO spans the full 15 miles of the BCP Council area’s coastline while the Open Spaces PSPO covers designated parks and green spaces in the authority area.

Coastal PSPOs require that no person shall be, or encourage others to be, aggressive towards others and they must reduce the volume of music when requested by an authorised officer.

They also specify that people cannot urinate or defecate anywhere other than a public toilet, no person shall light an open fire at any time and no person shall use a barbecue between 7am and 6pm.

Open Spaces PSPOs specify no person shall place, throw or drop anything likely to cause a fire, nor light a fire or barbecue.

PSPOs are enforced year-round by authorised BCP Council and Dorset Police officers.

Breaking the conditions of a PSPO within the designated area could result in a £100 fixed penalty notice being issued, reduced to £75 if paid within 14 days.

BCP Council’s spokesperson for housing and regulatory services, Cllr Kieron Wilson, said: "We use Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to impose conditions and restrictions in areas where disruptive activities may harm people’s wellbeing or quality of life.

“PSPOs empower authorised council and police officers to effectively address these issues so our communities can continue to enjoy all of our public spaces safely.”

Coastal and Open Spaces PSPOs will remain effective year-round for at least three years, until midnight on November 6th, 2026.