A borough-wide public space protection order (PSPO) was first introduced in 2022 to tackle antisocial behaviour, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
A crackdown on aggressive begging and public urination across Waltham Forest has been extended until 2028.
A borough-wide public space protection order (PSPO), first introduced in 2022 to tackle antisocial behaviour, will be in effect for the next three years.
Councillor Khevyn Limbajee, the cabinet member for community safety, approved the extension at a private meeting today (18th August).
A spokesperson for Waltham Forest Council said following the meeting: “The PSPO is an important tool for combating anti-social behaviour (ASB), including public urination, street drinking associated with ASB, aggressive begging and vehicle-related nuisance.
“It gives the council and police a targeted, legally enforceable mechanism to address issues and empowers officers to intervene early and consistently, with clear conditions and penalties.”
Offenders caught breaching the order can be fined up to £100 on the spot.
Since it was launched in March 2022, more than 2,500 penalties have been issued.
Street drinking was the most frequent antisocial offence, accounting for 344 charges. A further 310 offenders were fined for urinating in a public place, followed by the 306 who were fined for spitting.
The council launched a public consultation in May, which showed that locals were generally “very supportive” but felt enforcement had been “insufficient”. Some called for “tougher” laws to be rolled out.
The council spokesperson added: “We received 272 responses, with 96% of respondents either agreeing or strongly agreeing with our proposal to extend the PSPO.
“The Metropolitan Police also supported our proposal and today the executive decision committee approved the extension.”
In a formal letter to the town hall, an officer said: “The PSPO will continue to assist officers dealing with offenders and continue with ongoing work to keep the borough of Waltham Forest a pleasant place to live, work and visit.
“This positive work will continue to help the community feel supported and build trust.”
The PSPO specifically makes it a criminal offence to not stop drinking alcohol when ordered to by a police officer; to spit, defecate or urinate in the street; to beg in an “aggressive or intimidating” manner; and to be verbally abusive or “behaving in a way to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others”.
Gangs of three or more moped riders are also prohibited from congregating or driving in a way that causes “harassment, alarm, distress or annoyance,” while all motorists are forbidden from parking on the zig-zag lines outside schools.
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