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Public space protection order (PSPO) for Barnsley town centre
Public space protection orders (PSPOs) are used to regulate activities in public places. They give councils and the police more powers to tackle anti-social behaviour.
A local authority can introduce a PSPO if activities carried out in a public place within the authority's area have had a negative effect on the quality of life of people locally. They can also be used if it's likely that an activity will be carried out in a public place which would have such a negative effect, and that the activity would (or likely would) be persistent or continuing.
The conditions of each PSPO are tailored to give local authorities and the police the necessary and proportionate powers to tackle the problems occurring, or likely to occur, in that area.
Barnsley town centre PSPO
A PSPO is in force for Barnsley town centre and surrounding areas. The map below shows the area covered by this.
Conditions in the PSPO which are prohibitions
In the restricted areas a person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse he or she continues to carry out activities which by the order are prohibited, namely:
- Behaving in a way that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to another person either as an individual or part of a group.
- Using, possessing or supplying to another person any intoxicating substance defined for the purposes of the order as any substance with the capacity to stimulate or depress the central nervous system. Exemptions shall apply in the following cases, which will not be considered to be 'intoxicating substances' for the purposes of this order: alcohol, caffeine, cases where the substances are used for a valid and demonstrable medicinal use, substances given to an animal as a medicinal remedy and cigarettes (tobacco).
- Continuing to consume alcohol when required to stop doing so by any authorised officer.
- Persistent and repeated or aggressive begging.
- Persistent or aggressive sales, or attempted sales or offering goods/items in exchange for payment to members of the public, be it for their own profit or not.
- Engaging in unwanted, persistent or aggressive attempts to interact with members of the public.
- Using a loud hailer, microphone or other amplified equipment in a way that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress (excluding approved events or announcements).
- Using a skateboard, bicycle, scooter, or any other wheeled conveyance in a way which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress or damage to property or street furniture.
- Urinating or defecating in public (other than in a toilet or other public convenience).
- Polluting or otherwise interfering with the water features.
- Climbing on or otherwise interfering with statues, outdoor artwork or other such structures, either permanent or temporary.
- Using a car, van or any other mechanically propelled vehicle in the restricted area in a way which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
- Having open containers of alcohol on the streets, except within the boundary of a licensed premise, any cafe pavement licensed area, or when being carried between the licensed cafe pavement area and the nearest exit/entry point of the licensed premises to which the pavement licence is controlled by.
Conditions in the PSPO which are requirements
In the restricted area a person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse he or she fails to comply with any activity that they're required to undertake by an authorised officer, namely:
- To leave the restricted area and not return within 48 hours of the request to leave.
- To immediately surrender any alcohol in his or her possession upon request.
How to report anti-social behaviour
If you experience any anti-social behaviour you can report this by calling 101 or reporting anti-social behaviour to the police online. You can also call us on 01226 773555 or email us at safer@barnsley.gov.uk.
In an emergency you should always call 999.