We use cookies to ensure our site functions properly and to store limited information about your usage. You may give or withdraw consent at any time. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy.
Manage Cookies
A cookie is information stored on your computer by a website you visit. Cookies often store your settings for a website, such as your preferred language or location. This allows the site to present you with information customized to fit your needs. As per the GDPR law, companies need to get your explicit approval to collect your data. Some of these cookies are ‘strictly necessary’ to provide the basic functions of the website and can not be turned off, while others if present, have the option of being turned off. Learn more about our Privacy and Cookie policies. These can be managed also from our cookie policy page.
Strictly necessary cookies(always on):
Necessary for enabling core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. This cannot be turned off. e.g. Sign in, Language
Analytics cookies:
Analytical cookies help us to analyse user behaviour, mainly to see if the users are able to find and act on things that they are looking for. They allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. Tools used: Google Analytics
No analytics cookies have been enabled on this site. There are no cookies to review.
Proposal for Public Spaces Protection Orders in Ashford
Share Proposal for Public Spaces Protection Orders in Ashford on FacebookShare Proposal for Public Spaces Protection Orders in Ashford on TwitterShare Proposal for Public Spaces Protection Orders in Ashford on LinkedinEmail Proposal for Public Spaces Protection Orders in Ashford link
Welcome to this Ashford Borough Council Urban Public Spaces Protection Order Consultation.
Ashford Borough Council is seeking your views on the proposed changes to the current Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the Ashford Urban area (see the map on the following page). PSPOs are legal tools introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to help councils tackle persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB) issues that negatively impact the quality of life in public spaces. They are designed to ensure that everyone can enjoy these areas safely and responsibly.
The proposed PSPO aims to address behaviours that have been identified as causing nuisance or harm to the community, such as street drinking, anti-social use of vehicles, and other activities that undermine public safety and wellbeing. These measures are part of our ongoing commitment to reduce ASB, improve community safety, and maintain a welcoming environment for residents, local businesses, and visitors.
Your feedback is essential. This consultation gives you the opportunity to share your views on the proposed restrictions and suggest any additional issues you believe should be considered. The responses will help shape the final decision and ensure that the PSPO reflects the needs and priorities of the local community.
Please read the accompanying information carefully and complete the questionnaire by the closing date. Together, we can make Ashford’s public spaces safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
Restrictions
The current PSPO restricts the following activities in the public areas. These restrictions in this wording will remain the same on the new proposed PSPO.
No person shall urinate or defecate in a public space. This includes the doorway or alcove of any premise to which the public has access.
No person shall use a motor vehicle to perform any of the following activities: (1) Revving of engine (s) (as to cause a nuisance) (2) Repeated sudden and rapid acceleration (as to cause a nuisance) (3) Racing (4) Performing stunts (as to cause a nuisance) (5) Sounding horns (as to cause a public nuisance) (6) Playing music in a motor vehicle (as to cause a public nuisance) (7) Driving in convoy (8) Using threatening , intimidating behaviour towards another person; and (9) Causing obstruction on a public highway, whether moving or stationary.
No persons shall play ball games in areas which is signed as “No ball games”.
The new proposed restrictions which include changes to the wording of some existing restrictions are:
No person shall refuse to stop drinking alcohol or hand over any containers (sealed or unsealed) which are believed to contain alcohol, when required, to do so by an authorised officer in order to prevent public nuisance or disorder within the designated public space.
No person shall be in possession of any glass drinking vessel, including but not limited to pint glasses, wine glasses, or glass bottles, within the designated public space. Any such vessel must be surrendered upon request by an authorised officer, in order to prevent public nuisance or disorder.
No person shall use foul or abusive language likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress
No person shall be in possession of any catapult, slingshot, or any similar device capable of discharging a projectile, where such possession is deemed by an authorised officer to present a risk of injury, damage to property, or to contribute to antisocial behaviour. This includes devices that, in the opinion of an authorised officer, are likely to be used in a manner that causes alarm, harassment, or distress.
No person shall ride or operate an e-scooter, e-bike, or any other electrically powered personal transport device within the areas marked on the map, except for mobility scooters used by individuals with disabilities or limited mobility, and legal electrically assisted pedal cycles.
No person shall erect any non-permanent structure, including tents or pallet houses, in public spaces without prior authorisation.
Any person who without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with requirements of the order commits an offence and shall be liable to a fixed penalty notice of a £100
Current Map:
Proposed Map:
Consultation
There is more information about this consultation and an on-line version of this questionnaire that you can find at www.ashford.gov.uk/pspoconsultation.
If you have any further questions please email the Ashford Community Safety Unit at csu@ashford.gov.uk or call 01233 331111.
We ask that feedback is received by midnight on Sunday 4th January 2026.
Welcome to this Ashford Borough Council Urban Public Spaces Protection Order Consultation.
Ashford Borough Council is seeking your views on the proposed changes to the current Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the Ashford Urban area (see the map on the following page). PSPOs are legal tools introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to help councils tackle persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB) issues that negatively impact the quality of life in public spaces. They are designed to ensure that everyone can enjoy these areas safely and responsibly.
The proposed PSPO aims to address behaviours that have been identified as causing nuisance or harm to the community, such as street drinking, anti-social use of vehicles, and other activities that undermine public safety and wellbeing. These measures are part of our ongoing commitment to reduce ASB, improve community safety, and maintain a welcoming environment for residents, local businesses, and visitors.
Your feedback is essential. This consultation gives you the opportunity to share your views on the proposed restrictions and suggest any additional issues you believe should be considered. The responses will help shape the final decision and ensure that the PSPO reflects the needs and priorities of the local community.
Please read the accompanying information carefully and complete the questionnaire by the closing date. Together, we can make Ashford’s public spaces safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
Restrictions
The current PSPO restricts the following activities in the public areas. These restrictions in this wording will remain the same on the new proposed PSPO.
No person shall urinate or defecate in a public space. This includes the doorway or alcove of any premise to which the public has access.
No person shall use a motor vehicle to perform any of the following activities: (1) Revving of engine (s) (as to cause a nuisance) (2) Repeated sudden and rapid acceleration (as to cause a nuisance) (3) Racing (4) Performing stunts (as to cause a nuisance) (5) Sounding horns (as to cause a public nuisance) (6) Playing music in a motor vehicle (as to cause a public nuisance) (7) Driving in convoy (8) Using threatening , intimidating behaviour towards another person; and (9) Causing obstruction on a public highway, whether moving or stationary.
No persons shall play ball games in areas which is signed as “No ball games”.
The new proposed restrictions which include changes to the wording of some existing restrictions are:
No person shall refuse to stop drinking alcohol or hand over any containers (sealed or unsealed) which are believed to contain alcohol, when required, to do so by an authorised officer in order to prevent public nuisance or disorder within the designated public space.
No person shall be in possession of any glass drinking vessel, including but not limited to pint glasses, wine glasses, or glass bottles, within the designated public space. Any such vessel must be surrendered upon request by an authorised officer, in order to prevent public nuisance or disorder.
No person shall use foul or abusive language likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress
No person shall be in possession of any catapult, slingshot, or any similar device capable of discharging a projectile, where such possession is deemed by an authorised officer to present a risk of injury, damage to property, or to contribute to antisocial behaviour. This includes devices that, in the opinion of an authorised officer, are likely to be used in a manner that causes alarm, harassment, or distress.
No person shall ride or operate an e-scooter, e-bike, or any other electrically powered personal transport device within the areas marked on the map, except for mobility scooters used by individuals with disabilities or limited mobility, and legal electrically assisted pedal cycles.
No person shall erect any non-permanent structure, including tents or pallet houses, in public spaces without prior authorisation.
Any person who without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with requirements of the order commits an offence and shall be liable to a fixed penalty notice of a £100
Current Map:
Proposed Map:
Consultation
There is more information about this consultation and an on-line version of this questionnaire that you can find at www.ashford.gov.uk/pspoconsultation.
If you have any further questions please email the Ashford Community Safety Unit at csu@ashford.gov.uk or call 01233 331111.
We ask that feedback is received by midnight on Sunday 4th January 2026.
