Wakefield Council is proposing updates to the Wakefield City Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), and is entering into a period of consultation.
This order will give the Police and Council power to address anti-social behaviour and help them create a safer more welcoming environment for businesses, workers, residents and visitors.
The current PSPO has been in place since 2017 and was last renewed in 2023. However, the Council is now proposing:
- Expanding the PSPO area to cover Ings Road and Charlesworth Way retail parks.
- Adding new rules to tackle a wider range of behaviours that negatively affect the city centre.
- Renewing the PSPO for another three years.
There are currently existing bans on using intoxicating substances in public and urinating or defecating in the street. Alongside the new proposal the Council will be considering the addition of subsequence rules to help prevent:
- Aggressive or intimidating begging, particularly near cash machines.
- People sitting or lying in shop doorways in a way that causes nuisance or distress.
- Loitering within 10 metres of cash machines.
- Persistent or aggressive sales tactics, such as pressuring people to donate or sign up.
- Nuisance use of skateboards, scooters, or bikes in busy pedestrian areas.
- Climbing on or interfering with statues, artwork, or public structures.
- Erecting tents or temporary structures without permission.
- Using microphones or loudhailers in a way that causes annoyance.
- Behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.
A breach of these rules could result in a £100 on-the-spot fine or a court fine of up to £1,000.
📅 The consultation is open until 13 October 2025 and takes around 6 minutes to complete.
🔗 Complete the consultation here
Thomas Wales, Chief Executive of Wakefield BID, said:
“Businesses across our city centre want to see positive action on anti-social behaviour. These proposed updates to the PSPO are an opportunity to make sure the voices of businesses are heard and that Wakefield remains a safe and welcoming place for people to shop, work, and spend time. I’d strongly encourage business owners to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of our city.”
Wakefield BID is encouraging city centre businesses to share their views and help shape how anti-social behaviour is tackled in our city.
