Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)
Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are designed to tackle anti-social behaviour or activities in a specified location which are negatively affecting a community.
PSPOs impose conditions and restrictions on people using a regulated area, and give the police and local authority additional powers to deal with certain activities.
PSPOs in Adur
The following PSPOs are in place in certain locations in Adur (maps are in the attached PDFs):
Dog Control
Details of Dog Control PSPOs are available on our Controlling your dog in public page.
PSPOs in Worthing
The following PSPOs are in place in certain locations in Worthing (maps are in the attached PDFs):
Dog Control
Details of Dog Control PSPOs are available on our Controlling your dog in public page.
Public drinking
Alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour has increasingly become an issue in Worthing town centre in recent years, with a significant impact on local residents and businesses.
Under the PSPO it is not an offence to drink alcohol in public in the designated area, but it is an offence to refuse to comply with a request by an authorised officer to stop drinking or surrender alcohol.
Begging
While we are committed to helping those who are homeless or facing financial hardship access the right support and improve their situation, persistent and/or aggressive begging can impact negatively on businesses and tourism within the town centre, and the wider community.
Unauthorised overnight camping
Unauthorised overnight camping can lead to anti-social behaviour, littering, inappropriate disposal of waste and damage to facilities. All of this has a negative impact on residents and the local environment.
Adur & Worthing Councils have many services in place to help support people living on the streets in our community. For more information please see:
Penalties for breaching a PSPO
Anyone who breaches a PSPO can be issued with a fine, or Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).
If the fine is not paid and a court summons is issued, a fine of up to £500 may apply.
PSPO enforcement
PSPOs can be enforced by police officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and any officer designated by Adur & Worthing Councils.
These officers have been trained to ensure that orders are enforced in a fair and proportionate way, and to identify when someone may be vulnerable or in need of additional support. In these instances officers will liaise with the relevant support agencies to work with the individual concerned.
Need assistance with this service?
Get in touch:
Safer Communities Team
101, extension 581712
Page last updated: 04 October 2022