Public Spaces Protection Order Walton-on-Thames

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) came into force in Walton-on-Thames Town Centre on 1 March 2018.

Repeated reports of anti-social behaviour in Walton-on-Thames Town Centre led to the Council's belief that this is detrimental to the quality of life of the local community. As part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a PSPO allows local authorities to deal with nuisances or problems in a defined area that are considered to be detrimental to a community’s quality of life. A public consultation on the proposed PSPO was undertaken between 2 November 2017 and 3 December 2017 and over 600 responses were received.

The PSPO enables Elmbridge Borough Council to impose restrictions in a particular area with the aim of stopping individuals, or groups, committing anti-social behaviour in public spaces and this will remain in place for one year from the commencement date.

Prohibited behaviours 

The list below outlines the prohibited behaviours that are addressed as part of the PSPO.

1. 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:

• Fail to comply with a request by any Authorised Person to leave an area as behaviour is likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress.

The PSPO means that a person will commit an offence if they fail to comply with a request by an authorised officer to cease any of the controlled behaviours within the specified area (see map below).  Breach of the PSPO could result in either a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued, or prosecution.

In simple terms, the PSPO will allow Surrey Police and Elmbridge Borough Council the ability to tackle the on-street use of psychoactive substances, alcohol and behaviour that is perceived to cause harassment, alarm and distress within the designated area.

Restrictions around alcohol do not apply within licensed premises.

Links are available below to: 

• Walton-on-Thames Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)

• Walton-on-Thames PSPO map

• Elmbridge PSPO Enforcement Policy

For more information about the Walton-on-Thames Town Centre PSPO, please email communitysafety@elmbridge.gov.uk