Have your say on Public Space Protection Orders
COUNTY Durham residents are invited to have their say on measures put in place to tackle anti-social
behaviour.
Durham County Council has four Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in place across the
county, which were introduced at different times following separate consultations. The current
orders are designed to tackle anti-social behaviour in the High Force area of Teesdale, ban the
drinking of alcohol in public spaces in the city centre of Durham, control begging, urinating and the
use of intoxicating substances in Durham City, and tackle issues caused by irresponsible dog
ownership.
While some of these PSPOs do not yet need to be renewed, the council would like to bring them
all into line, so that they can be consulted on at the same time, every three years.
Cllr John Shuttleworth, Cabinet member for highways, rural communities and community safety,
said: “County Durham is a welcoming, friendly and safe place to live, work and visit, but, as in
communities up and down the country, there are elements of anti-social behaviour and these PSPOs
are in place to tackle those for the common good.
“Two of these PSPOs are scheduled to be renewed or expired by July this year so we’d like to hear
from residents and partner agencies, to find out if they would support an extension and understand
the impact they have had on communities.
“Ahead of consultations starting for these orders, we thought it would be a good opportunity to
bring all four together to have the same start and end date. This will help us to be more efficient in
the future and make it easier for residents to have their say on several issues at once.
“The orders have so far proved to be a swift and effective tool in tackling anti-social behaviour and
improving the quality of life for those who live, work in and visit County Durham and we want to
ensure that they continue to work for communities in the best possible way.”
Two of the PSPOs scheduled to be renewed or expired by July include an order for the High Force,
Low Force, Gibson’s Cave and surrounding areas of Upper Teesdale, which was introduced following
a large influx of visitors during the pandemic.
The authority proposes that this order expire in July after positive feedback from its
neighbourhood wardens and Durham Constabulary last summer. A ban on drinking alcohol in public
spaces within Durham City is also due to be renewed or expired by July, with the council proposing
that this be extended for a further three years until 30 June 2028.
This gives officers the power to stop people drinking alcohol within this area and take anything
believed to be alcohol away from those individuals. It covers the same areas as the order introduced
late last year to control begging, urinating in the street and the use of intoxicating substances.
The authority also proposes to extend its current PSPO around dog control across the county until
30 June 2028. This tackles issues arising from irresponsible dog ownership, with the number of
reports made by members of the public, as well as enforcement actions taken by wardens,
highlighting that this remains an issue in communities.
In addition to seeking views on these measures, the council would like to understand whether
residents would be in favour of increasing the fine when a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is issued for
breaching a PSPO.
The authority is in favour of increasing the amounts for FPNs in line with those issued for dropping
litter, which is currently £250 for a first offence, with a maximum of £500 for any offences that
follow.
Residents can have their say by visiting the council’s new consultation and engagement platform,
www.letstalkcountydurham.co.uk .
The deadline for comments is 25 April.
