Council could widen anti-social behaviour order

Leicester City Council is considering extending its public spaces protection order (PSPO) to areas neighbouring the city centre.

The order - which aims to clamp down on anti-social behaviour with fines of up to £1,000 - has been in place since April 2025.

But the city's mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, has launched a consultation into whether or not to include Westcotes, Frog Island, Belgrave, Spinney Hills and Highfields.

He said: "I'd like to use those same powers to target our resources at the neighbourhoods around the city centre where the highest number of incidents of anti-social behaviour are reported."

The council said fines were only issued when engagement, support and education have failed.

It added the threat of a fine combined with a team of highly visible enforcement officers had led to "significant improvements in the city centre over the last 12 months".

The mayor wants use the same legislation to tackle anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods where a "minority of individuals are spoiling the area for the people who live there".

The proposed Zone 2 covers around 14% of the city's total area – yet experiences more than 30% of the reported incidents of anti-social behaviour, the council said.

Actions falling foul of a PSPO include the use of alcohol in public, drugs and psychoactive substances; spitting substances such as chewing gum or paan; loitering that causes harassment, alarm or distress; and the use of fireworks in public spaces.

Soulsby said: "Over the past 12 months, we've seen significant improvements in the city centre, with the PSPO empowering us to tackle a whole range of nuisance behaviours – from amplified music to the inconsiderate use of e-bikes and scooters.

"Whether it's drug-related activity, alcohol-fuelled disorder or the inconsiderate use of fireworks, these behaviours can adversely affect people's enjoyment of their local streets and spaces.

"I'm determined to use all the tools at my disposal to deal with those who spoil Leicester's neighbourhoods for everyone else."

PSPOs were introduced by the government as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 and can be used by councils to target a range of issues in a defined public area.

The consultation runs until 12 June.

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