The PSPO will help to tackle a range of antisocial behaviour in the town centre. The council is introducing the PSPO following overwhelming support for the move from residents, businesses, and partners in a public consultation earlier this year.
Under the PSPO, anyone caught engaging in antisocial behaviours in the town centre could face a fixed penalty notice or prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court that could result in a criminal conviction and a fine. The PSPO means the police will have the power to issue on-the-spot fines or prosecute offenders who refuse to comply with the order.
“This new PSPO will support our partnership work with the police to tackle antisocial behaviour, and I’m pleased that it has the support of residents and businesses. As Mayor I want to restore pride in our town centre and kickstart its regeneration, and making our streets clean, safe, and welcoming is an important first step in achieving both.
The Safer Croydon Partnership will be monitoring the PSPO which is set to run for the next three years and will be reviewing it regularly to ensure that it remains effective in addressing the targeted behaviours. The council will also be reviewing the plan after two months as part of a commitment to ensure that there are no adverse effects on the borough’s most vulnerable residents and emergence of hotspot areas.
The Public Space Protection Order was initially proposed on 15th September 2022 with a consultation which received 1,390 responses to a survey. The survey indicated that over 90% of respondents telling Croydon Council that they ‘definitely agree’ or ‘somewhat agree’ with a PSPO in the town centre.
Croydon Council formally confirmed the introduction of the PSPO on 16th November 2022.
