Council consults on new town centre PSPO plans
Residents, businesses and other stakeholders can have their say on new plans to ensure a town centre remains a safe, welcoming and pleasant place to live, shop, work and visit.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is consulting on an updated Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Newcastle town centre to check that planned measures continue to be relevant, proportionate and effective.
PSPOs give councils and police forces additional powers to tackle anti-social behaviour by regulating specific activities in public spaces that can have a detrimental effect on the local community.
The review, taking place as the existing order comes to an end, considers the prohibition of riding e-scooters – and e-bikes which don’t meet standard requirements – in the town centre for the first time alongside other unwanted behaviours including general anti-social behaviour, street drinking, drug taking, littering and vandalism, rough sleeping and persistent and aggressive begging.
Breaches could lead to a fixed penalty notice of £100 and/or prosecution. The online consultation is available until Friday, 9 January 2026 inclusive.
Cllr. Gill Heesom, Cabinet member for Community Safety and Well-being, said:
Reviewing the PSPO ensures it continues to meet the needs of the town and supports a safe, vibrant and welcoming environment. A cleaner and safer town centre is central to the council’s Civic Pride campaign, and we want everyone who lives, works or visits here to feel proud of the place we share.
I want to stress that the council and police deal with complex cases in a sensitive way, with enforcement used as a last resort. This isn’t about targeting vulnerable people – we will continue to do all we can to support those who genuinely need help – it’s about protecting town centre users from harassment, alarm and distress as they go about their business. We’re keen to hear from as many people as possible before any final decisions are made.”
Inspector Joel Hurst, of the Newcastle-under-Lyme local policing team (LPT), added:
Anti-social behaviour is one of the main concerns raised by local residents and we remain committed to tackling these issues.
By introducing hotspot patrols in areas with high footfall, we have been able to reduce crime and have successfully prosecuted a number of offenders since May this year.
I would encourage local people to engage with the PSPO consultation so we can continue to work alongside partners to tackle the issues that matter most to them in Newcastle town centre as well as the wider borough.”