Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)

Public Spaces Protection Orders

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) are made under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and allow us to deal with problems in public spaces that have a detrimental effect on the local community’s quality of life. They impose conditions on the use of an area so everyone can enjoy it and use it safely. PSPOs also deal with likely future issues.

Police or authorised Council Officers can issue Fixed Penalty Notices of £100 or may prosecute anyone who without reasonable excuse does something which is prohibited by a PSPO or fails to comply with a requirement of a PSPO.

Public Notice of the Public Spaces Protection Order (Braintree Town Centre and Surrounding Area) Order 2026

Notice is hereby given that Braintree District Council, in exercise of its powers under S59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and following the required statutory consultation, has made a Public Spaces Protection Order relating to Braintree Town Centre and Surrounding Areas.

The Order will come into force on midnight on 29th May 2026 and will remain in effect for a period of three years, unless extended, varied, or discharged. The Order applies to all public places within Braintree Town Centre and Surrounding Areas, as shown on the Order map. This Order replaces the Public Spaces Protection Order (Braintree Town Centre and Surrounding Areas) Order 2024.

The Council is satisfied that certain activities involving the consumption of alcohol, aggressive begging, threatening, disorderly, abusive, aggressive and or unacceptable behaviour, carrying out sexual acts or exposing intimate body parts in public view, urinating and/or defecating in the open air and/or within public view, obstructing access to or egress from premises or land within the Restricted Area, the use of controlled drugs and psychoactive substances, unauthorised tent encampments or other like structures without consent, have had, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of people in the locality. These activities are considered persistent, unreasonable, and justify the restrictions imposed.

Prohibited Activities

The following activities are prohibited within the Restricted Area where they cause or are likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, or nuisance:

• The consumption of alcohol in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance, or annoyance to any person.
• Aggressive begging - begging in such a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.
• Threatening, disorderly, abusive, aggressive and or unacceptable behaviour.
• Carrying out sexual acts in public view.
• Exposing (flashing) intimate body parts in public view.
• Urinating and/or defecating in the open air and/or within public view.
• Obstructing access to or egress from premises or land within the restricted area.
• The use of controlled drugs and psychoactive substances.
• Unauthorised tent encampments or other like structures without consent.

Requirements Under the Order

Individuals must:

• Stop the consumption of alcohol in a public place when directed by a Police Officer, or an Authorised Council Officer,
• Surrender any container in their possession believed to contain alcohol (includes open & closed vessels) when directed by a Police Officer, or an Authorised Council Officer,
• Not participate in any of the activities set out in the Order, and
• Comply with all reasonable instructions from a Police officer or an authorised Council Officer.

Offence, Penalties and Enforcement

Failure to comply with this Order, without reasonable excuse, constitutes an offence. Penalties include a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100; or Prosecution leading to a fine of up to £1,000 (Level 3)

The Order will be enforced by Police Officers and Authorised Officers of Braintree District Council.

Right of Appeal

Any interested person may apply to the High Court to question the validity of this Order within 6 weeks from the date it is made, on the grounds that:

• The Council did not have the power to make the Order; or
• A procedural requirement of the Act has not been complied with

Map of coverage area for PSPO

Further Information

You can download a copy of the Order with accompanying map or inspect them at Council offices during normal business hours at:

Causeway House
Bocking End
Braintree
CM7 9HB

Dated
29 May 2026

Download the Braintree Town Centre and Surrounding Area public notice

Download the full Braintree Town Centre and Surrounding Area order