Clampdown on anti-social behaviour as new Public Spaces Protection Order launches today

A clampdown on anti-social behaviour in Reading is launched today with the introduction of a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Introduced in partnership by Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police, the order provides additional powers to tackle the specific anti-social behaviours that residents said they wanted to see addressed.

This includes enabling the Council to take greater action on dog control and dog fouling, and allows Thames Valley Police an additional tool to deal with aggressive begging, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and the anti-social use of e-bikes and e-scooters.

Whilst the PSPO is intended to be a preventative measure, allowing enforcing officers the ability to request the behaviour be stopped before a breach occurs, a fixed penalty notice can also now be issued if an individual continues to breach the order after being asked to stop by an authorised officer. This would be a fine of £100, as an alternative to prosecution which carries a maximum fine of £1,000.

The five conditions to be enforced are:

• On-street begging (TVP led)

A person must not engage in begging in any public place in a manner that is reasonably perceived to be aggressive, intimidating, or causes harassment, alarm or distress.

• Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour (TVP led)

No person shall refuse to stop drinking or refuse to hand over any containers (sealed or unsealed) believed to contain alcohol when required to do so by an authorised officer to prevent nuisance or disorder.

• Dog fouling (Council led)

A person in charge of a dog will be guilty of an offence should they not pick up after their dog. Being unaware of the defecation or not having an appropriate means to remove it will not be deemed a reasonable excuse for failing to remove it.

• Dog control (Council led)

A person in charge of a dog shall be guilty of an offence if at any time they do not comply with a direction given them by an authorised officer of the Council to put and hold the dog on a lead.

• Anti-social use of e-scooters and e-bikes (TVP led)

No person shall ride or operate an electric scooter or any type of electric bike in an anti-social manner which is reckless, malicious or dangerous, or causes significant harassment, alarm or distress to any person. Any person doing so may be subject to enforcement and, if requested by a police officer, the rider must dismount.

The PSPO will be implemented from today, following a three-week period of education and engagement. Officers will take a measured and proportionate approach to enforcement including signposting vulnerable people, such as people rough sleeping or those with addiction issues, to relevant support services which are available.

The Council fully encourages the responsible use of electric bikes in contributing positively to the Climate Emergency by using sustainable travel. However, the focus of the PSPO is to protect residents from the behaviour of the small number of individuals who insist on riding electric vehicle transport in an anti-social and sometimes dangerous manner.

Karen Rowland, Chair – Community Safety Partnership and Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:

“We know from the consultation which took place last summer that residents are understandably demanding action on things like street drinking, dog fouling and the dangerous use of electric bikes and scooters. The introduction of the PSPO today hands additional powers to both the Council and our police colleagues.

“It is a really positive step for residents which hopefully provides some reassurance that we have heard their concerns and are providing Officers the tools needed to act on them. In simple terms, this is about making Reading a more enjoyable place for everyone.

“We’ve already taken tough action over the last six months to clamp down on mindless littering and fly tipping. Our new trial Environmental Enforcement Partnership has seen over 1,300 fines handed out for these offences that unnecessarily and selfishly impact the enjoyment of our open spaces for others. This PSPO is yet another way we can deter the minority from ruining it for everyone else.

“I want to reassure the responsible users of legal e-bikes that we fully support their use of sustainable, active travel around the town for the sake of the environment, and it is only those who use electric powered cycles or scooters in a manner that causes distress or alarm to others who will feel the effect of this PSPO.”

Inspector James Tribe from Thames Valley Police said:

“The introduction of this Public Spaces Protection Order in Reading will be a valuable addition to our efforts to keep the borough safe. It enhances and complements the powers already available to my officers, enabling a more agile response to persistent anti‑social behaviour that impacts our communities. By working alongside existing legislation, the PSPO strengthens our ability to intervene early and ensure that our public spaces remain safe and welcoming for everyone.”

PSPOs are a suite of powers that can be given to the Police and Local Authorities to address anti-social behaviour in a public space. They are intended to be a useful and valuable tool for enforcement to improve the quality of life in communities by restricting or prohibiting certain activities which can cause the public significant alarm, harassment or distress. PSPOs are specifically council-led with the ability to designate the powers to responsible agencies to enforce. They focus on the identified problem behaviour in a specific location rather than on specific individuals or properties.  The legislation applies to everyone in that locality and breach of a PSPO without a reasonable excuse or exemption is an offence.

The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is a partnership between Reading Borough Council, Thames Valley Police, the Probation Service, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the NHS and other critical partners to ensure crime and disorder is tackled effectively and to make Reading a safer place for those who live in, work in, or visit the town.