Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)

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Emergency contacts

In an emergency, always call 999

If the problem is less urgent, please call the police on 101

PSPOs explained

Public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) are intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in an area that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life.

PSPOs impose conditions on the use of that area. These conditions apply to everyone and ensure the law abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti social behaviour.

PSPO enforcement

Officers able to enforce PSPOs are:

  • Council Officers, who have delegated enforcement powers
  • Police Officers
  • Police Community Support Officers

Report a breach of a PSPO

Depending on what particular nuisance or problem the PSPO has been introduced for will depend on who you report the breach to. Each PSPO has specific ‘how to report a breach’ details in the order details and signs in the area.

If the PSPO is related to anti social behaviour such as street drinking, then you need to call the police on 999 in an emergency or 101 for non urgent breach reports.

If the PSPO is related to environmental crime such as fly tipping or dog control, then you can report it to the council.

Penalty for breaching a PSPO

Breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence subject to a:

  • level 2 fine of up to £500 for alcohol related PSPO offences
  • level 3 fine of up to £1,000 for all other PSPO breaches

PSPOs and Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN)

If a breach of the PSPO is dealt with by issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), then payment of the FPN discharges an individual’s liability to conviction for the offence.

The current level of FPN fine for breach of a PSPO is £100. It is payable within 28 days of the FPN’s date of issue.

A discount will be applied if the FPN is paid within 14 days of the issue date, making the amount payable £70.

Your local police service is working in partnership with Barnet council to ensure that these regulations are enforced effectively.

PSPOs in Barnet

PSPOs in place

The London Borough of Barnet hereby notifies the public that this new PSPO is in force from the 12 December 2022 for a period of 3 years.

Borough wide Public Spaces Protection Order – Number 1 of 2022 (ODT, 0.5 MB)

Contact us about a PSPO

You can:

  • telephone us on 020 8359 7816
  • email us at BarnetCST@barnet.gov.uk
  • write to us at: Community Safety Team, London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London, NW9 4EW