New Public Space Protection Order aims to create an even friendlier environment

Cheshire West and Chester Council has created a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that applies across the whole borough following a public consultation and decision by its Cabinet.

New signage about the PSPO is being installed across the borough from early May.

More information about local PSPOs can be seen on the Councils website: 

www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your-council/publications/public-notices/public-spaces-protection-orders .

There has been a PSPO in place for Chester since 2016. PSPOs help to manage anti-social behaviour caused by a very small number of people and maintains a welcoming environment for everyone else.

Councillor Stuart Bingham, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride said:

“A PSPO is about protecting both people and places. Anti-social behaviour (ASB) discourages people from enjoying our borough, and  we are keen to create an environment that feels safe, pleasant, and welcoming for all.

“ASB is not a low-level crime - it effects our local communities, businesses, visitors, and economy, so reducing this is in everybody’s interest.

“Our new Public Space Protection Order will extend provisions which previously only applied to Chester, in addition to a small number of new provisions, across the whole borough for the benefit of businesses, residents, and visitors alike. Cleaner and safer neighbourhoods boosts neighbourhood pride across the borough.

"The PSPO will enable officers to do an even better job than they already do to look after and support our residents and visitors.”

Background to the PSPO. It requires that in public spaces, at all times:

1. No drinking alcohol in public spaces (except licensed premises).
2. No public urination or defecation (excluding public toilets).
3. No lighting fires in public spaces.
4. No using disposable barbeques in public spaces.
5. No unauthorised obstruction of the highway by events or activities (excluding lawful and peaceful protest).
6. No climbing on, or jumping / hanging from, Queens Park Suspension Bridge, Chester.

Police and authorised officers using the PSPO may require:

1. Any person in possession of alcohol to:
   1. Surender any alcohol in their possession.
   2. Comply with a requirement not to consume alcohol.
2. Any person obstructing or impeding passage over the highway to immediately stop obstructing the highway.
3. Any person who is believed to have caused, or likely caused, a member of the public to suffer harassment, alarm, or distress to leave a defined area and not return for a period of up to 24 hours.

Any person who fails to comply with the prohibitions or requirements of this PSPO, without reasonable excuse, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to a fixed penalty notice (FPN) as an alternative to prosecution.