Update January 2023: Elmbridge Borough Council is proposing to expand the area covered by the existing Walton-on-Thames PSPO. This consultation closed 31 January 2023.
Following repeated reports of anti-social behaviour in Walton-on-Thames town centre, a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) came into force in Walton-on-Thames town centre on 1 March 2021. The PSPO was put in place to control behaviour that was having a harmful effect on the local community’s quality of life.
The PSPO puts restrictions on the area, which apply to everyone, and aims to stop anti-social behaviour in public spaces. It is in place for three years from 1 March 2021.
The PSPO prohibits (bans) certain behaviours. The prohibited behaviours are listed below.
Summary of restrictions
The PSPO means that within the restricted area:
- You must stop drinking alcohol or taking drugs or any psychoactive substance if asked by an authorised officer.
- You must hand over any alcohol, drugs/psychoactive substances or bikes, skateboards, scooters or hoverboards if asked by an authorised officer.
- You must leave the area if asked by an authorised officer.
- You must not cycle, skateboard, scooter or hoverboard in a dangerous or anti-social way, or in a way that may cause harassment, alarm and distress.
Authorised officers include the police and council enforcement officers.
Prohibited behaviours
The list below outlines the prohibited behaviours that are addressed as part of the PSPO.
The activities described below are hereby prohibited:
- Persons shall not within Restricted Areas:
- Continue to drink alcohol when asked to stop by an Authorised Person: or
- Fail to surrender any alcohol in their possession when asked to do so by an Authorised Person
2. Persons shall not within Restricted Areas:
- Continue to ingest, inhale, inject, smoke or otherwise use Psychoactive Substances when asked by an Authorised Person to stop; or
- Fail to surrender any Psychoactive Substance in their possession when asked to do so by an Authorised Person.
3. Persons shall not within Restricted Areas:
- Cycle, skateboard, scooter or hover-board in a dangerous or anti-social manner which is causing or is likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress
- Fail to surrender the above mode of transport when asked to do so by an Authorised Person
4. Persons shall not within Restricted Areas:
- Fail to comply with a request by any Authorised Person to leave an area as behaviour is likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress
Restricted area
The map lists the locations affected:
Ashley Park, Bridge Close, Bridge Street, Church Street, Churchfield Road, Dale Road, Drewitts Court Car Park, Elmgrove Recreation Ground, Esher Avenue, Fir Close, Harvey Road, Hepworth Way, High Street, Highfield Road, Hurst Grove, Kings Close, Kings Road (Part), Manor Road, Mayo Road, Mount Felix, Nelson Close, New Zealand Avenue, River Mount, Royston Close, Sandy Way, Sidney Road, Sullivans Reach, Terrace Road, Thames Street, The Ridgeway, The Towpath, Wellington Close, Winchester Road.
Enforcement policy
Read the Enforcement policy for information on how a PSPO is enforced in Elmbridge.
Contact information
For more information about the Walton-on-Thames PSPO, please email communitysafety@elmbridge.gov.uk.
