Council announces Public Spaces Protection Order extension

Horsham District Council is pleased to announce that from 1 April 2021 there will be an extended Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place across the Horsham District. The Order first came into effect on 1 April 2018 and lasted for three years, ending on 31 March 2021.

Following a public consultation earlier this year, the Order has been extended for a further three years from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2024, and also includes additional prohibitions.

You may see PSPO signs when you are out and about but even if you do not see a sign, the Order is still in place.

What is a Public Spaces Protection Order for?

Public Spaces Protection Orders are intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem, in a particular area, that is detrimental to the local community's qualify of life. The Order imposes conditions on the use of that area which apply to everyone. They are designed to ensure the law-abiding majority can enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour.

The conditions in force across the whole of Horsham District are:

• Clean up dog fouling.
• Keep dogs under control.
• No anti-social use of vehicles.
• No nuisance behaviour relating to alcohol.
• No racing of, conducting time trials with, or exercising of a horse and horse-drawn vehicle on any dual carriageway.
• No intoxication or possession of psychoactive substances.

In Horsham Town Centre additional conditions are:

• No unauthorised access or nuisance behaviour on buildings or street furniture.
• No unlicensed busking.
• No drinking of alcohol in The Causeway, Gardens of Remembrance and Mill Bay areas.
• No anti-social behaviour or nuisance behaviour in car parks and stairwells.
• No selling of periodicals which include a prize draw competition dependent on skill (excludes the Big Issue).

What is the penalty for breaking a PSPO?

Failure to comply with the Public Spaces Protection Order is a criminal offence. Offences carry a maximum penalty upon conviction of a fine (Level 3) of up to £1,000. Offences may also be dealt with by a fixed penalty notice.

The PSPO is a useful addition to the work the Council already does to keep our public areas safe and clean.

For further information please visit the PSPO webpage.