As the summer holidays approach, young people’s activities in public spaces are being restricted by a series of new council laws.
Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)– which give councils powers to ban activities which have a ‘detrimental effect’ on the ‘quality of life’ – are increasingly being used to target youth activities such as skateboarding, swimming, or even gathering in groups.
Each PSPO creates new criminal offences, which can be punished by an on-the-spot fine of up to £100, or a fine upon conviction of up to £1000. This means that in several areas young people can now be fined or prosecuted for the offence of standing in a group, and gain a criminal record as a result.
These PSPOs include:
Bassetlaw District Council has created a PSPO covering an area in Worksop, which came into force on 18 May. The order prohibits: 'under 16-year olds (who are not under the effective control of a parent or are responsible person aged 18 or over) gathering in groups of three or more'. The order also prohibits 'shouting, swearing or acting in a manner as to cause annoyance, harassment, alarm or distress to any person'. See the council's outline of the PSPO, and local news coverage when the PSPO was enacted.