Public space protection order (PSPO)

What is a PSPO?

PSPO stands for a Public Space Protection Order and is an additional tool that gives the Police, Council Officers or any other authorised Officer powers to help reduce specific antisocial behaviours.

PSPOs do not stop people socialising in the open and enjoying public spaces but can be used to deter those whose behaviour is persistently disrupting other people’s lives. A PSPO is a power under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

What happens if you breach a PSPO?

It is a criminal offence to breach a PSPO. If you do, you could get a £100 fixed penalty notice or, if convicted, a fine of up to £1,000.

What PSPOs are in place in the Borough?

The PSPOs in place in Lewisham are:

Borough wide PSPO restrictions

Dog fouling

No person is permitted to leave dog waste deposited by any dog under their control or ownership in any public place, except in a designated dog waste bin.

Owners and dog-walkers must remove dog waste deposited by dogs under their control, care or ownership.

Dogs on leads by Direction

When required by an authorised officer of the Council, any person in control of a dog/s must place the dog/s on a lead in the areas specified in the Legal Order.

Maximum numbers of dogs under a person’s control

No person is permitted to have under their control more than 4 dogs in a public place.

Dog exclusion

No person in charge of a dog is permitted to take the dog onto or to enter or to remain on any areas specific in the Legal Order.

Illegal encampments

When required by an Authorised Officer, any individual responsible for an illegal encampment, removes all possessions related to the encampment and leave the area. Illegal encampments include any encampment or structure being used to occupy land without permission, including vehicles, tents, yurts and any other structure.

Amplified music or speech

No person shall, after being requested to desist by an authorised officer, make or permit to be made any noise which is so loud or so continuous or repeated as to give reasonable cause for annoyance to other persons in any space open to the public.

Public urination and defecation

No person shall at any time to urinate and/or defecate in a public space open to air without reasonable excuse for doing so. 

Ward based PSPO Restrictions

These restrictions are applicable in Rushey Green, Deptford, Lewisham Central, Bellingham, Brockley, Evelyn, Hither Green, Sydenham, Downham, Catford South, Ladywell.

Anti-social behaviour resulting from consumption of alcohol

No person shall refuse to stop engaging in anti-social behaviour whilst intoxicated through alcohol, within public places within the 11 specified wards.

Anti-social behaviour resulting from consumption of drugs and psychoactive substances

No person shall refuse to stop engaging in anti-social behaviour whilst intoxicated through the use of drugs or psychoactive substances within the 11 specified wards.

In specific areas in the borough, there are PSPOs which make it illegal to:

• take your dog into dog-exclusion zone
• take your dog off its lead in a dogs-on-leads zone 

Please ensure that when you are completing the webform you input the address of where the anti-social behaviour, nuisance or noise is coming. Be mindful that we will only investigate reports occurring within the Borough of Lewisham.