Public Spaces Protection Order to help people enjoy a safe summer in Salisbury

With the arrival of warmer summer weather and sunnier days and the first fixed penalty notice being issued, Wiltshire Council is reminding residents that a Public Spaces Protection Order is in place in Salisbury to ensure people can enjoy the city as safely as possible.

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), covering the city centre and surrounding parishes of Laverstock & Ford, Quidhampton, Netherhampton, Wilton, Alderbury, Odstock and Coombe Bissett, was implemented in May 2024, in response to reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the city.

PSPOs were created by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and are intended to deal with any nuisance or anti-social behaviour within a defined area that is detrimental to the local community's quality of life.

In the city centre, a police officer may require anyone causing anti-social behaviour in a public place to stop drinking alcohol and require them to surrender anything believed to be an alcohol container. It is an offence to refuse any such order and continue to consume alcohol. These powers have been granted to aid police to address the increase in street drinking related anti-social behaviour. The PSPO does not prevent those licensed premises with outdoor seating from serving alcohol.

The order also makes it an offence to possess any catapult, slingshot or similar items capable of launching a missile, and to possess any item that could be used as a missile, which could cause harm or damage. It is also an offence to refuse to surrender any such item, when required by a police officer.

Signage is in place across the city to remind people of the restrictions, and anyone found to be in breach of the PSPO could be issued with an on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) up to £100. Failure to pay a FPN could lead to prosecution and a fine on conviction up to £1,000.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Salisbury is a beautiful city and a popular destination; therefore, we hope people feel assured that the work we have done will help keep it as safe as possible so that the city can be enjoyed for everything it has to offer throughout the summer and beyond.

“A first FPN of £100 has been issued in the city centre, following a breach of the street drinking ban. This shows that we take anti-social behaviour seriously, and it is a key priority in our business plan is to safeguard our residents. Now the order can be enforced by Wiltshire Police, we hope that it will help to act as a deterrent and reduce the instances of anti-social behaviour that are being seen in the city and surrounding areas, enabling everyone to enjoy the warm and sunny weather responsibly.”

Inspector Tina Osborn, from the Salisbury community policing team, said, “With the PSPO now in place, the police have been able to engage, educate and enforce the conditions when deemed appropriate and necessary.  Robust action has been taken and several fixed penalty notices have been issued to individuals. The Police will continue to support this PSPO when they can in order to make the local community and visitors to Salisbury feel safe.”

To find out more about the PSPO in Salisbury, maps of the areas involved and what is included in the order, people can visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community-safety-pspo-salisbury