A new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is set to be enforced in Camden, London, from July, targeting irresponsible alcohol consumption and antisocial behaviour. The order, approved by Camden Council, empowers police and council enforcement officers to order individuals to stop drinking alcohol and confiscate any alcohol from those engaging in antisocial behaviour.
The PSPO is not an outright ban on drinking in public places, but rather a measure to address community concerns associated with some alcohol consumption. According to Camden councillors, the majority of alcohol consumption in the borough is carried out responsibly, and the order aims to ensure that public spaces can be enjoyed without interference from antisocial behaviour.
The PSPO was introduced as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which allows local authorities to address antisocial behaviour in specific public spaces within their jurisdictions. It replaces earlier measures such as designated public place orders, gating orders, and dog control orders.
The order was approved following a consultation with local people, which gathered concerns about outdoor drinking, including contractors being unable to lock parks due to drinkers refusing to leave, loud music, urinating in public, and being rude to passers-by. The majority of London boroughs have similar restrictions on street drinking in place.
The PSPO will last for three years before Camden Council decides whether to renew it. It will be enforced across all of Camden except in Hampstead Heath, which is under the authority of the City of London Corporation.