Public spaces protection order (PSPOs)

Public Spaces Protection Order

After consultation the Council has agreed to extend the following Public Spaces Protection Orders. 

Public space protection order: Alcohol

The Council has in force a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which includes requirements regarding the consumption and confiscation of alcohol in Andover and Romsey and surrounding areas.  This order gives the police and authorised persons powers to respond to negative behaviours associated with consumption of alcohol. Specifically, within the area marked on Annex 1 Plan A and Annex 1 Plan B of the PSPO:

  • A person shall not consume alcohol or anything reasonably believed to be alcohol when required to cease such consumption by an authorised person.
  • A person shall surrender anything in their possession which is, or is reasonably believed to be, alcohol or a container for alcohol, when requested to do so, to and by, an authorised person.

Public Spaces Protection Order - Anti-social Behaviour

This Public Spaces Protection Order includes further requirements in relation to harassment and public health in the area of Andover town centre, as marked on Annex 1 Plan C of the PSPO. In broad terms, the effect of this Public Spaces Protection Order is to:

  • Prohibit behaviours that cause harassment or intimidation to residents, businesses or members of the public.
  • Prohibit people from acting, or inciting others to act, in an anti-social manner.
  • Give powers to an authorised person to require a group or individual to leave the area defined on Plan C.
  • Prohibits a person from urinating or defecating in an open public place within the area defined on Plan C.

 Individuals who break the prohibitions of the PSPO could receive a £100 penalty or may be liable for prosecution.

Public space protection order: Dogs

The Council has in force a Public Spaces Protection Order covering dog control and, in broad terms, the effect of this Public Spaces Protection Order is to:

  • Require every person in charge of a dog to pick up dog faeces after their dog fouls, and properly dispose of it – this applies to all public places to which the public have access (including all public parks, pavements, footpaths etc).
  • Prohibit any person from taking their dog in to any enclosed children’s play area or any enclosed sports facility.
  • Enable a police officer or other authorised person to direct a person in charge of a dog to put the dog on a lead if restraint is considered reasonably necessary (for the purposes of preventing nuisance or behaviour by the dog that is likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other person, or to a bird or another animal).

These provisions are subject to some exemptions, for example applicable to people with certain disabilities and in respect of assistance dogs.  There are also general defences of having ‘reasonable excuse’ and/or having the permission of the owner / occupier of the land where applicable.

Signs have been placed in various areas throughout the Borough to notify members of the public that restrictions are in place.  Individuals who break the prohibitions could receive a £100 penalty or may be liable for prosecution.

 Copies of the Public Spaces Protection Orders are available to download from the document section of this page.