Public Space Protection Order

Public Spaces Protection Order (Section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014)

Our Public Spaces Protection Order came into force on 1st September 2017 and covers Maidstone town center.

The order covers alcohol consumption and begging.

Alcohol

This order means that a person:

• must not consume alcohol and, as a result, behave in a manner that is considered to be anti-social.
• must surrender anything in their possession though to be alcohol or a container for alcohol when asked by an authorised person.

If the same person continues to consume alcohol or behave in a way considered to be anti-social then they may be requested to stop drinking within the restricted area for a period of 24 hours.

Street begging

This order means that a person must not:

• sit, lie or loiter next to an ATM, in doorways or similar for the purpose of begging
• use any container to hold money for the purpose of begging
• use signage, children, animals or any other means to extract money from a person for the purpose of begging

Penalties

It is an offence to fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the prohibitions in this Order. This may result in a fixed penalty notice of £100 or prosecution.

Right to appeal

In accordance of Section 66 of the Act, any interested person may challenge the validity of this Order by appeal to the High Court, within six weeks from the date upon which this Order is made.

This Order will be in force for a period of 36 months and will expire on: 30 August 2020.

Documents

You can read the order on our policies page.