Council seeks wider public space crime powers

An east London council is consulting on a plan that could criminalise antisocial behaviour including drinking in public and aggressive begging across the entire borough.

Havering Council is looking to expand a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that would grant its officers and the Met Police extended powers to issue fines.

The Reform-led council said it would be an expansion of the Romford PSPO, which gives a constable or an "authorised person" the ability to fine people £100 on the spot for a range of offences.

In January, Haringey Council, which also has a borough-wide PSPO, said it would reconsider the order as it was likely to cause "significant risk of harm" to "marginalised" people.

The Campaign for Freedom in Everyday Life was critical of Havering's proposal and said it "criminalised everyday life" and was hardest on young and homeless people.

A spokesperson for the campaign said: "This is one of the broadest PSPOs we've seen.

"A borough-wide order would let officers fine people for drinking a can in the park, busking, feeding the ducks, covering their face, or gathering in a group of two or more.

"These orders criminalise everyday life in the shared spaces we all use, and they fall hardest on the people who rely on those spaces most - particularly young or homeless people."

Terry Brown, Havering's cabinet member for public protection, said: "While the vast majority of people use our town centres and public spaces responsibly, sadly, a number of individuals don't and cause nuisance and distress to others. We will not tolerate this.

"Anyone found carrying out antisocial behaviour will face strong action in Havering."

The Romford PSPO is set to expire in October and could be replaced by a new borough-wide order.

If the offender refused to pay the £100 fixed penalty notice, they could be taken to court and handed a £1,000 fine.

The PSPO proposal lists several possible prohibitions, including:

• Stopping drinking alcohol in public spaces when asked
• Dog fouling and irresponsible dog ownership
• Aggressive or persistent begging
• Anti-social use of bicycles, mopeds, e-scooters or e-bikes
• Groups of two or more people who gather in a way that causes nuisance, anti-social behaviour or criminal activity
• Face coverings used to hide identity for anti-social behaviour
• Urinating or defecating in public places
• Amplified sound in public places where it causes nuisance, harassment, alarm or distress to others
• Carrying catapults or projectile devices in public places where they could cause harm, damage, nuisance, alarm or distress to others
• Feeding wildlife in public spaces where it could cause nuisance, environmental damage, public health concerns or attract vermin

Havering Council said the consultation would decide if a borough-wide PSPO should be introduced and, if so, which restrictions should be included.

Keith Prince, council leader, said they wanted to hear a "wide range of views to ensure any future decision reflects the experiences and priorities of local communities".

The council added that an an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) would be undertaken ahead of any new or changed policies in order to not unfairly harm or discriminate against any group.

PSPOs can be put in place for a maximum of three years before they are reviewed and potentially extended.

The council's public consultation runs until 23 October.

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