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Public Space Protection Orders

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) came into force in Sandwell on 20 October 2017.

They cover a range of issues.

Dogs

This PSPO covers the whole of Sandwell requires a person in charge of a dog to:

  • pick up the dog's mess
  • put the dog on a lead when required to do so by an authorised officer (e.g. a council environmental protection officer)
  • not allow the dog to be on children's play areas, marked sporting areas, cemeteries, memorial parks or gardens of remembrance

If the person fails to comply with the PSPO, they face a £100 fixed penalty or prosecution with a maximum penalty of £1,000.

Alcohol

This PSPO covers the whole of Sandwell and enables council environmental protection officers and police who are concerned about anti-social behaviour, to:

  • require a person not to drink alcohol (or what is believed to be alcohol) in a public place
  • require a person to surrender the alcohol (or what is believed to be alcohol)

If the person fails to comply with the PSPO, they face a fixed penalty or prosecution with a maximum penalty of £500.

West Bromwich Town Centre

A three-year PSPO, starting 1 August 2018, covers West Bromwich Town Centre, helping the police and council prevent and tackle anti-social behaviour.

This PSPO, which follows concerns raised by local people and businesses, received strong support in a public consultation in spring 2018.

You can view a map of the area in which the following activities are prohibited:

  • Acting or inciting others to act in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment alarm or distress to any person.
  • Threatening any person with violence and/or being verbally abusive towards any person.
  • Begging or asking members of the public for money or loitering for the purpose of begging or asking members of the public for money.
  • Causing a motor vehicle or trailer to stand on a road and/or footpath so as to cause any unnecessary obstruction of the road and/or footpath.

Authorised council officers (e.g. environmental protection officers), police and police community support officers can enforce the PSPO.

People breaching the PSPO face a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 or a fine of up to £1,000 on prosecution.

Gating orders

As of 20 October 2017, existing gating orders became PSPOs.

More information on these orders