Police and Council Propose Extended Antisocial Behaviour Fines in Havering 2026

Key Points

• Borough-Wide Enforcement: There could be an expansion of powers that could enable Havering Council and Metropolitan Police officers to impose spot fines on individuals indulging in antisocial behavior within the borough area.
• Size of Fine: The authorized officers would have the powers to impose a fixed fine of £100 that may even go up to £1,000 in case of nonpayment of fines in the court of law.
• Various Types of Behavior: The restricted behavior would include the consumption of alcohol in public, persistent or aggressive begging, antisocial behavior with bicycles, mopeds, e-scooters, e-bikes, and nuisance or criminal behaviors of groups.
• Other Restrictions: The proposed order would further address such issues as dog fouling, irresponsible ownership of dogs, using a face covering while doing antisocial behavior, urinating or defecating in public places, loud busking in the street, use of catapults and projectile devices, and feeding animals in public.
• Public Consultation: Public consultation regarding the above-mentioned order began on 28 August 2026 and would conclude on 23 October 2026.
• Replacement of Existing Scheme: If approved, the borough-wide order will replace an existing town centre order in Romford that was introduced in October 2023 and is due to expire in October 2026.

Havering (East London Times) August 29, 2026 — Havering Council and the Metropolitan Police could be given extended powers to tackle antisocial behaviour across the borough in its entirety, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporter.

The council has launched a public consultation regarding plans to expand the existing Romford Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to cover all areas within Havering. Under the terms of the mechanism, designated council staff and police personnel would be granted the authority to issue £100 on-the-spot fixed penalty notices to individuals committing a specified range of public space offences.

According to official details released by Havering Council, the new framework would replace an existing alcohol-focused PSPO that has been operational exclusively in Romford Town Centre since October 2023 and is set to expire in October 2026. The proposed borough-wide scheme aims to create a consistent enforcement regime across all town centres, parks, and residential areas.

What Specific Behaviours Will Be Prohibited Under the Expanded Order?

As reported by the Local Democracy Reporter, the full list of target offences under the proposed PSPO encompasses a wide spectrum of public order concerns. The order seeks to penalise:

• Public Alcohol Consumption: Refusing to stop drinking or surrender alcohol when instructed by an authorised officer in a public space.
• Aggressive Begging: Engaging in aggressive or persistent begging tactics that cause distress to members of the public.
• Antisocial Vehicle Use: Operating bicycles, mopeds, e-scooters, or e-bikes in a dangerous, reckless, or disruptive manner.
• Nuisance Groups: Gathering in groups of two or more people where the behaviour causes nuisance, intimidation, or criminal activity.
• Identity Concealment: Wearing face coverings specifically to hide one’s identity while causing, or intending to cause, harassment, alarm, or distress. This measure explicitly excludes face coverings worn for medical, religious, or cultural reasons.
• Environmental and Hygiene Offences: Dog fouling, irresponsible dog ownership, and urinating or defecating in public places.
• Street Disturbances and Wildlife Measures: Unauthorised amplified street entertainment or busking that causes distress, carrying or using catapults and projectile devices, and feeding wildlife or leaving food in public areas where it attracts vermin or creates public health risks.

Failure to pay the initial £100 fixed penalty notice can lead to formal prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court, where offenders face statutory fines reaching up to £1,000.

What Have Council Officials Said About the Consultation?

As reported by the Local Democracy Reporter, Councillor Terry Brown, Havering’s cabinet member for public protection, emphasised the necessity of gathering public feedback prior to making a definitive legislative decision.

Councillor Terry Brown stated that:

“We need the views of residents, businesses and all those who visit Havering, so we can look at the best way possible to make sure everyone can enjoy our Borough as a safe place. While the vast majority of people use our town centres and public spaces responsibly, sadly, a number of individuals don’t and cause nuisance and distress to others. We will not tolerate this. Anyone found carrying out antisocial behaviour will face strong action in Havering.”

Councillor Brown further clarified the context of the legislative timeline, noting that:

“Our current PSPO to deal with alcohol-related problems in Romford town centre is due to expire in October. By introducing a Borough-wide PSPO, it enables our officers and that of the Police, to have the extra powers to continue cracking down on unacceptable behaviour in all our public spaces in Havering.”

How Can the Public Participate in the Process?

The public consultation opened on 28 August 2026 and will remain active until 23 October 2026. Havering Council is requesting feedback from residents, business operators, and regular visitors to determine whether they have personally experienced antisocial behaviour within the borough, whether they believe the proposed restrictions would prove effective, and whether the measures should be applied universally across Havering or restricted to specific problem areas.

Following the closure of the consultation period, the local authority will evaluate all submitted responses alongside police crime statistics before rendering a final decision on the implementation and exact parameters of the new order.

What Is the Background of Public Space Protection Orders in Havering?

Public Space Protection Orders were introduced across England and Wales under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, giving local authorities the statutory power to restrict specific activities in defined public areas where those activities have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of the local community.

In October 2023, Havering Council implemented a targeted PSPO confined specifically to Romford Town Centre. That initial measure was designed to address alcohol-related disorder, street drinking, and associated antisocial conduct in the borough’s primary retail and night-time economy hub.

As the October 2026 expiration date of the Romford order approaches, local administration discussions have increasingly focused on the displacement of antisocial behaviour from designated zones into adjacent residential wards and secondary shopping parades. The transition toward a borough-wide framework represents a policy shift aimed at eliminating jurisdictional gaps and providing law enforcement with uniform powers across all wards within the London Borough of Havering.

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How Could This Development Affect Residents, Businesses, and Visitors?

The implementation of a borough-wide Public Space Protection Order stands to affect several distinct groups across Havering in varying ways:

• Local Residents: Residents in areas outside Romford town centre—who previously lacked the protection of specific PSPO enforcement tools—may experience a reduction in neighbourhood disturbance, street drinking, and illegal e-scooter usage. However, members of the community will also be subject to stricter regulatory oversight in everyday activities, such as dog walking, feeding birds, or organizing public performances.
• Town Centre Businesses and Shopkeepers: Local business owners may benefit from decreased levels of aggressive begging, loitering, and public nuisance outside commercial premises, potentially improving footfall and creating a cleaner environment for shoppers.
• Law Enforcement and Enforcement Officers: Metropolitan Police officers and council enforcement staff will gain immediate, flexible powers to intervene in low-level disorderly behaviour without necessarily resorting to formal criminal arrest procedures, streamlining the administrative process for street-level policing.
• Young People and Commuters: Individuals using micro-mobility transport—such as e-scooters, e-bikes, or bicycles—alongside groups gathering in public squares will face heightened scrutiny from patrolling officers, requiring greater compliance with public order regulations to avoid financial penalties.