On September 71, 2020 Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet resolved to extend the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Loughborough Town Centre extending it until October 20, 2023.

What is a PSPO?

When there are problems or nuisance in a specific locality, that has a detrimental impact upon a community’s quality of life, the Council can apply for a PSPO. These Orders are designed to ensure all members of a community can use and enjoy a public space, safe from anti-social behaviour.

An Order places restrictions and requirements on certain behaviour within the specified locality and can last up to 3 years. The Council can – after further consultation – extend and vary it for another three-year period.

The Loughborough Town Centre PSPO prohibits the consumption of alcohol in a  manner which causes, or is likely to cause, a nuisance or annoyance to other persons within the designated locality.

This Order is not a total ban on drinking alcohol in public places but does makes it an offence to carry on drinking alcohol, when asked to stop by a Constable or authorised officer.

The aim of the PSPO is to prevent alcohol related anti-social behaviour that has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality. (ASB Crime and Policing Act 2014)

When might an officer ask me to stop drinking?

A police officer will have the power to ask you to stop drinking alcohol in the designated locality (map attached) if in their opinion:

You are behaving in a manner to cause, or likely to cause, a nuisance or annoyance to other persons in the designated locality.

Under section 63 of the Act, it will be an offence for a person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement imposed on him or her under section 63(2) of the Act, namely:

  • Consuming alcohol in breach of the Order: or
  • Failing to surrender alcohol or container for alcohol within the designated area

A person commits an offence if they fail to comply with a request not to consume alcohol or a request that is made to surrender anything in their procession which is reasonably believed to be alcohol or a container for alcohol.

A breach of the PSPO under section 63 of the Act, can be dealt with through a Fixed Penalty Notice issued by authorised officers. For the breach of an alcohol prohibition (section 63), a level 2 fine (up to £100) can be imposed. Upon summary conviction, if the offender has refused to pay the fine, the sanction can be raised to a level 3 fine at Magistrates Court.

The PSPO areas for Charnwood can be found in the map below:

Last updated: Tue 20th October, 2020 @ 11:26