Information on the Orders in force
Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) are intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a particular area that is detrimental to the local community's quality of life, by imposing conditions on the use of that area which apply to everyone. They are designed to ensure the law-abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour. Watford currently has two Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in place.
1. Albert Road South:
Albert Road South has had a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place since 2017 and was renewed in 2020, to prohibit non-commercial vehicles from entering Albert Road South between the hours of 21.00 and 04.00 on Friday, Saturday and Monday nights to allow continued management of the night time economy and support the police dispersal plan. The Order prevents members of the public from driving into and parking up in Sainsbury’s car park, Albert Road South, on the evenings and times identified above. It will also provide prevention against plying for hire by private hire vehicles from entering the area unless pre- booked. The operation of the order will be made by police. The order does not affect residents of Albert Road South or the deliveries to the business needing use of, Gaumont Approach, Service Road - see the PSPO map (PDF 1.43MB).
2. Consumption of alcohol in public spaces:
A PSPO exists preventing the consumption of alcohol in public spaces. The order is in force 24hrs a day. The order applies to all public areas within the bounds of the order as defined by the map. This includes all public parks, play areas, cemeteries, footpaths and any area to which the public have access within the open air within the prescribed area. The PSPO makes it an offence to fail to cease the consumption of alcohol within the prescribed area when asked to by a police officer, police community support officer or accredited officer. The order also makes it an offence to fail to surrender any container of alcohol when requested to do so by a police officer, police community support officer or accredited officer. Failure to comply with either request can lead to the issuing of a notice for disorder or court summons and a maximum fine of £500. The area defined is marked by:
3. Renewal and amendments of the Orders in force:
Watford Borough Council’s Safer Watford Partnership are consulting on extending and varying our Albert Road South vehicle prohibition and No Drinking Zone Control Public Space Protection Orders.
The consultation will run from 10 October until 31 October 2023.
PSPOs are in force for up to 3 years, after which they can be renewed and/or varied. Both PSPOs are due to expire in December 2023.
The Safer Watford partnership propose renewing the existing PSPOs with a variation to both.
To ensure that our community does not lose the protection of both PSPOs, we are proposing:
- To renew the Albert Road South Closure PSPO, with a variation to the days of the week;
- Popularity of the night-time economy on Monday evenings has reduced and it is therefore proposed that Monday evenings is removed from the order.
- Where a Bank Holiday falls on a Monday however, the night-time economy on the preceding Sunday night / into Monday morning can create as much demand.
- The proposed variation is to remove Monday evenings from the PSPO and instead implement on Sunday evenings preceding a Bank Holiday between the hours of 21:00 hrs and 04:40 hrs the following morning.
- To renew the consumption of alcohol in public spaces PSPO for the town centre “no drinking zone”, with one variation to increase the area of the PSPO.
- This Overview map outlines the current area where the order is in place and the proposed additional area the order will be in force.
We are doing this as we do not want the PSPOs to expire without renewal as this would potentially cause a rise in anti-social behaviour.
To provide feedback or for more information, please email us.
