Key Points
- Havering Council has now formally started a consultation among the public about their proposals to implement a borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
- In the proposed plan, it is sought that the current Romford PSPO which is about to expire in October will be extended to cover all of the London Borough of Havering.
- The enforcers, comprising council and Met police officers, will have the right to hand out on-the-spot fixed penalty notices of £100 for any non-compliance with the order.
- The list of offences that would come under this order includes public drinking of alcohol, aggressive begging, irresponsible dog ownership, dog fouling, public urination/defecation, and anti-social use of bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters, and mopeds.
- Further proposed prohibitions include groups causing anti-social nuisance, wearing face coverings to hide one’s identity during anti-social activities, amplified street entertainment, unauthorised public speaking, and feeding of wildlife.
- Any unpaid fixed penalty notices may lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 in court.
- The consultation process has been initiated and will continue until 23 October.
Havering (East London Times) August 31, 2026 – Havering Council has formally opened a public consultation to gather feedback on plans to establish a borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) designed to curb anti-social behaviour across the region. Council leader Keith Prince, joined by local cabinet members, launched the public initiative to examine whether powers to issue on-the-spot fines should be expanded from targeted zones to encompass all public spaces in Havering. As reported by Sebastian Mann of the Romford Recorder, the proposed measures would replace the existing Romford town centre PSPO, which is due to expire in October. Under the expanded umbrella, designated local authority personnel and Metropolitan Police officers would hold the authority to issue immediate £100 fixed penalty notices to individuals breaching the specified guidelines.
What powers would the proposed PSPO grant to enforcement officers?
As detailed in the report by Sebastian Mann of the Romford Recorder, the proposed borough-wide scheme encompasses a wide array of public conduct restrictions. The order would explicitly target public alcohol consumption, aggressive begging, public urination or defecation, and the “anti-social use” of vehicles such as e-scooters, e-bikes, mopeds, and traditional bicycles. In addition, enforcement provisions extend to animal control, encompassing dog fouling and general “irresponsible dog ownership”.
Further clauses within the draft proposal cover group behaviour, allowing officers to address gatherings causing public nuisance or criminal activity, as well as the deliberate use of face coverings to hide identity while engaging in anti-social acts. The proposed order also addresses noise nuisance and public space management by restricting amplified “street entertainment,” unapproved busking or public speaking, and the feeding of wildlife. Individuals who refuse or fail to pay the initial £100 fixed penalty notice could face prosecution in the magistrates’ court, where maximum fines reach up to £1,000 upon conviction.
How have Havering Council cabinet members explained the initiative?
As reported by Sebastian Mann of the Romford Recorder, Councillor Terry Brown, Havering Council’s cabinet member for public protection, outlined the administration’s stance on the necessity of extending the order. Councillor Terry Brown stated:
“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 anti-social behaviour will face strong action in Havering.”
The public consultation process invites feedback from local residents, workers, and business proprietors across the borough. Participants are requested to detail their past experiences with anti-social behaviour and state whether they believe the implementation of borough-wide restrictions will effectively deter disruptive activity. The consultation phase will remain active through to 23 October.
Background of the development
Public Spaces Protection Orders were created under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, granting local authorities in England and Wales the legal mechanism to prohibit specific activities within a designated geographic area. Historically, Havering Council utilized targeted PSPOs focused primarily on high-density commercial hubs such as Romford town centre to manage night-time economy disruption, street drinking, and street nuisance.
Over recent years, local authorities across Greater London have increasingly shifted from localized PSPOs to borough-wide implementations. This strategy aims to prevent anti-social behaviour from simply shifting across boundary lines into adjacent neighborhoods when targeted enforcement occurs in town centres. The current consultation follows administrative changes within Havering Council, where local leadership under Council Leader Keith Prince has prioritized public space management and enforcement strategies as key elements of their community safety agenda.
Prediction: How this development could affect local residents and businesses
If the proposed borough-wide PSPO is approved following the consultation deadline on 23 October, its implementation will directly impact several key demographics across Havering:
- Local Residents: Residents are likely to experience a heightened uniform police and council enforcement presence in residential parks, suburban shopping parades, and housing estates. While many community members may welcome faster interventions regarding dog fouling, public drinking, and low-level disturbance, others may face stricter scrutiny regarding public gatherings or informal street activities.
- Town Centre Businesses and Traders: Commercial premises across Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster, and Rainham could see reduced incidences of aggressive begging and disruptive anti-social vehicle use near shopfronts. This enhanced regulation could improve footfall and consumer confidence, particularly during evening trading hours.
- Street Performers, Buskers, and Public Speakers: Broadening the scope of restricted public conduct to include amplified street entertainment and public speaking borough-wide will require performers and organizers to secure appropriate permits or adhere strictly to designated guidelines. Failure to do so will expose individuals to immediate financial penalties.
- Pet Owners and Micro-Mobility Users: Dog walkers will face strict liability for failing to clean up after pets or maintain control in public areas. Similarly, individuals utilizing e-scooters, bicycles, or mopeds in a manner deemed anti-social by patrolling officers will face immediate financial enforcement.
