Havering Council consults on borough-wide anti-social behaviour order
Proposed order would allow £100 fines for offences including public drinking and aggressive begging.
Incident → evidence → outcomeHavering Council is seeking public views on a proposal to extend a public space protection order (PSPO) across all of its 18 wards. The existing order, which currently covers Romford town centre and is due to expire in October, grants council and Metropolitan Police officers the power to issue £100 fines for specific anti-social behaviours. If approved, the new borough-wide order would aim to address issues such as public drinking, aggressive begging, and the irresponsible use of bicycles, mopeds, e-scooters, and e-bikes.
Scope of the proposed order
The proposed PSPO would allow officers to issue fixed penalty notices for a range of offences. These include dog fouling and irresponsible dog ownership, groups causing nuisance or criminal behaviour, and individuals using face coverings to conceal their identity while engaging in anti-social activities. Urinating or defecating in public spaces would also be subject to fines. Furthermore, the order would restrict amplified street entertainment, busking, public speaking, and feeding wildlife in public areas.
Councillor Terry Brown, Havering’s cabinet member for public protection, stated that the council needs the views of residents and businesses to ensure the borough remains a safe place for everyone. He added, as reported by The Standard, that while most people behave responsibly, a minority cause nuisance and distress, which will not be tolerated. He assured that strong action would be taken against anyone found engaging in anti-social behaviour.
Refusal to pay a £100 fixed penalty notice could result in offenders being taken to court. If found guilty, they could face a significantly higher fine of up to £1,000. The current Romford PSPO is set to expire in October, and the council is using this period to consult on a replacement that would apply borough-wide.
Public consultation
The public consultation on the expanded PSPO is open and will continue until 23 October 2026. Havering Council is asking residents and business owners about their experiences with anti-social behaviour and their opinions on whether the proposed restrictions would be beneficial in addressing these issues.
Questions this report answers
01What is the proposed public space protection order in Havering?
Havering Council is consulting on a proposal to extend a public space protection order (PSPO) to cover the entire borough. This order would allow officers to issue £100 fines for various anti-social behaviours.
02What kind of offences could lead to a £100 fine under the proposed order?
Offences covered by the proposed order include public drinking, aggressive begging, the antisocial use of bicycles, mopeds, e-scooters, or e-bikes, dog fouling, and groups causing nuisance or criminal behaviour.
03What happens if someone refuses to pay a £100 fine?
If an offender refuses to pay the £100 fixed penalty notice, they could be taken to court. A court appearance could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
04When does the public consultation for the proposed order close?
The public consultation on the proposed expansion of the public space protection order is open and will close on 23 October 2026. Residents and businesses are encouraged to share their views.
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