PSPO council consultation

The Council have just launched another PSPO consultation, this one is for responsible alcohol consumption.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

In 2023, The Council consulted on this PSPO again in order to renew the order. There was strong support for the proposal, with 90% of respondents in favour.

Evidence from both the council and the police shows that street drinking linked to anti-social behaviour continues to have a negative impact on residents, visitors and businesses across the borough. This can include:

•    Intimidating, disruptive or inappropriate behaviour in public spaces,
•    Littering in housing estates, residential streets, parks, cemeteries, open spaces and town centres,
•    Behaviour that negatively effects local businesses and customers in commercial areas,
•    Increased risks to vulnerable people who engage in frequent street drinking, potentially causing harm to themselves or others.

The proposed renewal would continue to give authorised officers powers to intervene where alcohol consumption is contributing to anti-social behaviour.

If an authorised officer believes alcohol consumption is causing, or is likely to cause, anti-social behaviour, they may require a person to stop drinking or surrender any alcohol in their possession. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action.

What the PSPO covers

The council is proposing to renew the current Responsible Alcohol Consumption PSPO which states that:

•    If an authorised officer asks you to stop drinking in a public place, you must do so.
•    If an authorised officer asks you to hand over any alcohol containers (whether opened or unopened), you must do so if they reasonably believe the container contains alcohol.
•    Any alcohol surrendered to an authorised officer will be emptied and disposed of.
These powers will only be used where an authorised officer reasonably believes that alcohol consumption is contributing to, or is likely to contribute to, anti-social behaviour, public nuisance or disorder.

The PSPO allows authorised officers to confiscate alcohol in public spaces where a person is causing, or perceived to be causing, anti-social behaviour, such as intimidation, harassment, alarm, or distress.  
Licensed premises and authorised club premises are exempt.  

The survey can be completed here: https://haveyoursay.lbhf.gov.uk/responsible-consumption-of-alcohol

Please tell us if the rules should be renewed and updated for another three years.  

The consultation closed on the 9th September 2026.

If you have any questions or need support to take part, please contact us at csu@lbhf.gov.uk