To make sure Gloucester is safe and welcoming for all, the city council has launched a consultation to find out what residents and businesses think about existing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).
A PSPO places rules on a public place and can restrict certain behaviour or require people to do certain things. PSPOs are put in place usually when people’s behaviour has caused a nuisance to others using or living in that area.
We want to hear from residents, people who use our public spaces and partner agencies to help us decide whether the existing PSPOs should remain in place for another three years.
We would also like to know whether other behaviour is occurring in the city which causes a nuisance and therefore may need addressing with further PSPOs.
The following three PSPOs have been in place since 2018 and are now up for review:
Citywide PSPO
• Dogs must be kept under control at all times, and put on a lead if requested.
• Dogs are not allowed in children’s play parks.
• Dog fouling must be cleaned up.
• Anyone drinking alcohol in a public space must dispose of or hand over their alcohol when requested to do so by an authorised officer, if the request is made in order to stop or prevent a nuisance.
City centre PSPO
• Creates an alcohol-free zone in the city centre, banning anyone from drinking alcohol in a public space (on the streets, in a park or any other public space) within the city centre area.
Organs Alley PSPO
• This restricts access to the alleyway between Eastgate Street and Russell Street in Gloucester city centre, where nuisance and anti-social behaviour was occurring.
The online survey is now live and will remain open until Friday 15 October; please give us your views at https://haveyoursaygloucestershire.uk.engagementhq.com/public-spaces-protection-order-consultation.
Cllr Justin Hudson, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods said: ‘We welcome everyone’s thoughts on how we could best use a PSPO to keep our city the vibrant, welcoming space we know, love and share with other residents, businesses and visitors. All of the feedback we receive will be closely evaluated so it’s important that we hear from as many people in the community as possible.’
‘A PSPO is not about stopping the vast majority of people who use public places responsibly and sociably, nor is it about punishing vulnerable people. Helping people to make positive choices will always be our preferred option, so we see this as a way we can deter and address some of the behaviours that have been shown to have a negative impact on our community.’
Further information about Public Spaces Protection Orders is available at www.gloucester.gov.uk/community-living/community-safety-crime/public-spaces-protection-orders
