Public Asked to Share Views on Powers to Tackle Antisocial Behaviour in Doncaster City Centre

For context, the city centre is currently covered by something called a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). Imposing restrictions on certain unwanted activities like loitering or begging in an antisocial manner, as well as the use of banned substances, this empowers City of Doncaster Council to tackle key issues in the area, while also providing support to vulnerable members of the community. 

It is part of a much wider scheme of work by the council — that also includes addressing the top priorities identified by the Big City Conversation and the ongoing Safer City initiative — to make our civic centre an attractive, welcoming place and address the concerns of residents and businesses in relation to safety and security.

The city centre PSPO was first introduced back in 2017 and has been renewed every three years since then, with the public supporting its extension in both 2020 and 2023. Now that the order is coming up for renewal once more, the people of Doncaster are again being asked to give their opinions on its various prohibitions and how they are enforced.

Respondents will be asked for their views on all seven existing prohibitions within the current PSPO, including restrictions relating to antisocial begging and loitering, alcohol consumption in public areas and the requirement not to return to the city centre for 24 hours if asked to leave by an authorised officer (following antisocial behaviour being committed).

In addition to the activities already covered by the order, the survey will also ask members of the public for their views on whether the antisocial use of amplified equipment (such as microphones and loud hailers) should also be prohibited in the city centre. This proposed restriction would only be enforced where the use of such equipment is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and would not apply to approved events, street entertainment or other authorised announcements.

Encouraging the public to take this opportunity to have their say on the PSPO powers, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Safer Communities, Councillor Glyn Jones, said: “This order has been widely supported in the past and has helped us to make the city centre a safer, more attractive and overall welcoming place for people to live, work and spend their leisure time. It helps us to tackle the antisocial behaviour issues that matter most to you and we’ve had some really proactive results in the last three years, with our officers and the police enforcing against 1,333 breaches of the order. 

“With the PSPO now coming up for renewal, we’re asking for your opinions to help shape it going forward and to tell us which of its prohibitions you support. In doing so, you’ll help us to ensure that the order is fair, balanced and effective, so please take the time to make your voice heard. We would also encourage you to continue reporting any instances of crime and ASB that you do witness in Doncaster so that appropriate action can be taken to deal with such issues.”

The consultation on the city centre PSPO renewal is open from now until 1 June. Members of the public can take part by completing the online survey https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/crime-anti-social-behaviour-nuisance/town-centre-public-spaces-protection-order-pspo-consultation

There are also alternative ways of making your voice heard, including by calling 01302 736000 for assistance completing the form over the phone. 

The PSPO complements wider work being done under the Safer City initiative. A collaboration between City of Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire Police, this scheme has seen both organisations working together to crack down on crime and antisocial behaviour, to provide a reassuring presence in the city centre and to invest in additional resources that help residents better enjoy everything that our city centre has to offer.