Consultations launch on extending existing anti-social behaviour rules

The City Council has Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to stop anti-social behaviours relating to dogs and alcohol in Oxford.

PSPOs must be reviewed every three years, and both are set to expire in November.

The consultations, which run from today (6 September) until 13 October, ask residents if the rules should be extended for another three years.

Dog Control PSPO

The Dog Control PSPO requires individuals in charge of a dog to:

• Pick up their dog’s mess
• Not allow their dog to enter a children’s play park
• Not be in charge of more than four dogs in a public place

The PSPO also allows police officers or anti-social behaviour officers at the City Council to require a dog to be put on a lead.

There are exemptions for people who need the help of assistance dogs.

Take part in the control of dogs consultation.

Alcohol Disorder PSPO

The Alcohol Disorder PSPO makes it an offence to refuse to stop drinking alcohol or refuse to hand over alcohol containers when required to do so by a police officer or an anti-social behaviour officer at the City Council.

The PSPO only applies in public outdoor spaces. It does not apply within licensed premises.

Take part in the alcohol consumption in public places consultation.

Penalty for breaching PSPOs

Anyone found to be breaching either PSPO can face a fine of up to £100.

However, the City Council’s anti-social behaviour policy states that officers will seek to resolve cases at the lowest level of intervention, for example by talking to the individuals in the first instance.

For more information about PSPOs in Oxford, visit the PSPO pages on the City Council’s website.

“Both PSPOs are applied in measured and sensitive ways to tackle behaviours to make Oxford a safer city for all residents. It’s now time for another public consultation on if these orders should be extended or not."

Councillor Shaista Aziz, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities