Local people to have their say on proposals to address anti-social behaviour

The council currently addresses anti-social behaviour with a boroughwide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which was last renewed in 2020, with the authority first launching its own PSPOs in 2016. These must be reviewed every three years.  
 
PSPOs were first introduced by the government in 2014, they are intended to deal with nuisance or problems that are detrimental to the local community's quality of life and work by imposing conditions on the use of the area; enabling residents and visitors to use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour. 

Police, council officers and officers authorised by the council can enforce the conditions of PSPOs and may issue fines for non-compliance.  

The following prohibitions contained within the existing PSPO are proposed to be retained for the 2023 to 2026 PSPO period: 

• alcohol and drug misuse in public spaces  
• idling vehicles  
• use of drones in public spaces  
• urinating, defecating and spitting  
• being in charge of more than four dogs (six with a valid licence)  
• unauthorised encampments  
• begging. 

The process has proved effective in Hillingdon in taking robust action against perpetrators who choose to cause harm or nuisance to the environment and/or community.  

For example, the council issued 1,740 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) between January and December 2022 for offences prohibited by the council's PSPO. This included: 1,253 FPNs issued to motorists who failed to turn off their idling engines, 300 fines given for urinating/defecation/spitting and 32 issued for abusive language. 

The council has considered emerging issues and complaint data from the 2020 to 2023 PSPO period. New prohibitions are proposed for the 2023 to 2026 PSPO. They aim to address:  

• smoking/vaping within children's play areas  
• dogs within children's play areas  
• driving e-vehicles or motor vehicles over footways  
• use of amplification equipment in town centres (Uxbridge, Hayes and Ruislip)  
• placing of tables/stands/signage in town centres (Uxbridge, Hayes and Ruislip)  
• financial agreements in the street in town centres (Uxbridge, Hayes and Ruislip)  
• street trading and leaflet distribution without proper consent. 

Resident feedback will be considered as well as comments from the Residents' Services Select Committee, before the final plans are reviewed by the council's Cabinet.  

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "While the majority of local people and visitors to Hillingdon are respectful of others and our parks and public spaces, we are committed to ensuring safe and strong communities and taking enforcement action to protect our residents and the environment.  

"Our boroughwide PSPO has proved effective since its introduction in tackling persistent anti-social behaviour. Nuisance behaviours can change over time, and this review allows us to consider what anti-social issues have been raised via reports, and both this and the feedback we get through this consultation will allow us to shape the next PSPO.  

"I encourage residents to have their say and share their suggestions."

Provide your feedback by visiting www.hillingdon.gov.uk/pspo-consultation before Friday 16 June.