Have Your Say on a New Public Space Protection Order in Reading

A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is being considered by Reading’s Community Safety Partnership to increase powers to clamp down on specific anti-social behaviours, and residents are being asked to have input to the process.

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 and distress.

The Council has launched a consultation on behalf of Reading’s Community Safety Partnership (CSP) for residents to give their thoughts on the proposal which would deal with a range of targeted issues that distress residents across the entire borough.

It is proposed that Thames Valley Police will carry the powers to enforce:

• On street begging – Begging at any time within the entire borough is subject to enforcement
• Street drinking – When drinking is causing nuisance or disorder in a public space, people will be required if asked to do so by the Police to stop drinking and hand over any containers believed to contain alcohol
• Anti-social use of e-bikes and e-scooters in public spaces – Currently all e-scooters are illegal to be ridden in a public space and, along with illegally modified e-bikes, can be dealt with through other Police powers. The PSPO would provide extra powers to stop riders who are purposely causing anxiety, distress or nuisance in public settings and tackle the worst behaviour.

Whilst legal and responsible e-bike usage is encouraged through Reading Borough Council’s transport strategy as a means of sustainable transport, the PSPO’s purpose is to take action against the anti-social behaviour of a small cohort of riders that cause distress in our communities. Therefore those using e-bikes in a safe, law-abiding way should not be concerned by the additional powers.

The PSPO would also give Reading Borough Council officers the power to enforce:

• Dog fouling – Those in charge of dogs would be guilty of an offence should they not pick up after their dog
• Dog control – Those in charge of dogs would be guilty of an offence if they do not comply when directed by a Council officer to place and hold their dog on a lead

You can have your say on the proposals by completing the consultation here before the closing date of 7 September: www.reading.gov.uk/PSPOsurvey

It is proposed that these conditions, to tackle activities deemed to be of concern and growing within Reading, are set out in one PSPO that will cover the whole borough. The PSPO would support the efforts of Thames Valley Police and Council officers to deal with these issues and take action against offending individuals when carrying out proactive work in the community.

One of the greatest concerns of residents currently is around the anti-social behaviour and nuisance associated with the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in public spaces. Residents have consistently highlighted concerns on this to the Council, Thames Valley Police, Councillors and MPs, raising the issue at Safer Neighbourhood Forum meetings and through surveys. 

The proposed PSPO would relate to e-bikes and e-scooters being used in an anti-social way in public spaces, giving the Police the power to use a more proportionate response in all circumstances which include e-bikes and e-scooters.   Thames Valley Police’s current powers of seizure are limited only to illegally modified electric bikes, and e-scooters used on the highway.  Without a PSPO, Thames Valley Police have very limited powers to enforce the antisocial use of such vehicles.

Although the proposed PSPO has attracted attention from law-abiding e-bike riders, it is worth noting that such responsible users have nothing to fear from such a PSPO, as their use of e-bikes contributes to the sustainable, responsible transport that Reading supports and seeks to strengthen. The intent of the Community Safety Partnership in this PSPO proposal is a focus on protecting residents, including those who ride e-bikes lawfully, from those who ride them in an anti-social manner. Whilst e-scooters have increasingly become a feature of everyday life, many people do not realise their use is only currently allowed on private land.

A PSPO would provide a consistent approach to tackling behaviour across the borough that would enable proportionate enforcement associated with legal vehicles, whilst maintaining stronger options for the Police to use where behaviours are serious and vehicles are unlicenced or illegal.

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

“I hope residents will take five minutes to complete our survey and share their thoughts around the proposed issues that this PSPO hopes to address. Street drinking and begging, dog fouling and proper dog control, along with the aggravated mis-use of mechanically propelled micro-mobility vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters are all issues that are increasingly upsetting residents.

“However residents need to understand that a PSPO is not a panacea to cure all those ills, but it is instead another very useful tool to allow officers the powers they need to halt the worst of anti-social misbehaviour that causes residents undue anxiety, nuisance or distress”.

Superintendent Colin Hudson, Commander for Reading Local Policing Area, said:

“The proposed PSPO aims to support community safety in the borough by addressing issues highlighted by residents, businesses and visitors. If approved, the order would empower police and authorised officers to issue fines or take further enforcement actions where behaviour is found to be persistent and detrimental to public quality of life. This is not about blanket enforcement, it’s about setting clear expectations for public conduct, making sure our parks, town centre and transport hubs remain welcoming for everyone.”

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.

Residents are also invited to comment on crime and safety in the annual survey at www.reading.gov.uk/2025communitysafetysurvey. The survey closes on 31 August.