Protecting public spaces

We have adopted a public space protection order (PSPO) to prevent individuals or groups of people committing anti-social behaviour in public spaces. The PSPO imposes restrictions on the use of the public area.

Our PSPO covers the area of Hinckley and Bosworth (the administration area of the authority) and imposes restrictions on open public recreational spaces which are owned or maintained by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) and land owned or managed by all parish councils.

What is a PSPO?

A PSPO deals with the particular issues below which are detrimental to the quality of life in a defined area (Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014).

In all public areas throughout the borough, the PSPO will:

• Ban dog fouling
• Outline the offences involving intoxicating substances:
  • Ban consumption of alcohol, replacing the ‘no drinking’ order
  • Ban the use of psychoactive substances

In our parks and open spaces, the PSPO will:

• Ban dog fouling
• Enforce dog owners to keep their dogs on leads in certain areas
• Restrict dogs from entering play areas and other multi use games areas  
• Protect our parks and open spaces. Our PSPO covers the following offences relating to green spaces:
  • Cooking and barbecuing
  • Camping
  • Radio controlled vehicles
  • Motorcycles and any other motorised vehicles
  • Directions to move on
  • Horse riding and the use of horse carriages
  • Golf
  • Restrictions on horses
  • Parking on green space on Mallory Close in the parish of Newbold Verdon

When was the PSPO introduced?

Our first PSPO was introduced on 8 December 2016, the second was introduced on 20 May 2020 and our current PSPO, The Public Spaces Protection Order (HBBC) 2024, was introduced on 9 May 2024.

How will this be enforced?

Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence. Police and authorised officers of the council* can seize intoxicating substances (where applicable) and issue fixed penalty notices up to £100. The case may be taken to court where there will be a maximum penalty of £1,000.

*An authorised officer of the council means an employee, partnership agency, contractor, or partnering council, which is authorised in writing by HBBC for the purposes of giving directions under our PSPO.

Consultation

Our PSPO was introduced following a borough wide consultation with the majority of responses being in favour for the introduction and enforcement of the PSPO. Our first consultation took place in 2016, the second consultation took place in 2019 and our current PSPO was introduced following a borough wide consultation in 2023. Please complete our Streetscene contact form if you would like to receive more information on these consultations.

Further information

If you would like a copy of our PSPO, please complete our Streetscene contact form

Last updated: 21/05/2024 14:00