New powers to assist the city council in keeping Leicester’s public spaces free from anti-social behaviour will come into effect on Wednesday, April 2nd.
After a consultation earlier this year that showed strong public support for the proposed measures, City Mayor Peter Soulsby has approved the implementation of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in the city centre. This will enable the police and authorised council officers to take prompt enforcement action against individuals causing a nuisance.
Picture credit: Leicester City Council
The new PSPO will apply to the city centre within the inner ring road, the area surrounding Leicester railway station, the entirety of New Walk, and the section between London Road and Regent Road up to Granville Road.
Under the PSPO, individuals will commit a criminal offence if they cause a nuisance by:
- Riding e-bikes, bikes, skateboards, or scooters irresponsibly
- Consuming alcohol when requested to stop by an authorised officer
- Using amplification equipment without permission
- Begging
- Collecting charity donations without council approval
- Erecting a gazebo or other temporary structures without authorisation
From Wednesday, April 2nd, those who breach the PSPO in Leicester could face a fixed penalty notice of £100, which could rise to £1,000 if prosecution leads to a conviction.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby commented: “Like many major cities, Leicester has seen an increase in anti-social behaviour in recent years, and it’s clearly affecting how people enjoy our streets and public spaces. Whether it’s issues with street drinking, begging, unauthorised use of amplification equipment, or the reckless use of e-bikes and scooters, these actions are a nuisance—and they need to stop.
“I am committed to using every available tool to address the behaviour of those causing disruption in the city centre. The consultation shows that most people support action, and I’m pleased this Public Spaces Protection Order will provide us with the powers needed to tackle these persistent problems. If these measures prove effective in improving the city centre, we may consider expanding PSPOs to other areas of the city.”
The full order and related documents are available online at cabinet.leicester.gov.uk.
Public Spaces Protection Orders were introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 and can be used by councils to address specific issues in designated public areas. Once in place, each PSPO is valid for three years.
The consultation in Leicester ran online from January 20th to February 17th this year, receiving 1,139 responses, with the majority in favour of measures to address the concerns raised in the consultation.
