A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) has been introduced in Greenwich which aims to target borough-wide anti-social behaviour – including a ban on public urination, persistent begging and scooters on pavements.

PSPOs, initiated by the Anti-social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014, give councils far-reaching powers to mitigate negative conduct affecting local communal spaces.

Over summer, Greenwich Council made plans to overhaul two existing PSPOs in key town centres, with revised versions addressing broad issues known to impact the borough.

Having an open alcohol container in priority areas like Eltham, Plumstead, Abbey Wood, Greenwich Peninsula, Greenwich Cutty Sark, and Woolwich remains an offence.

The new full list of boroughwide PSPO orders are: • Foul or abusive language / threatening or intimidating behaviour 

• Making comments of a sexual or gender-based nature  

• Public urination and defecation  

• Aggressive or persistent begging 

• Skateboarding or scooters on pavements or pedestrian areas

• Anti-social use of vehicles on pavements/pedestrian areas

• Dog controls linked to anti-social behaviour

• Alcohol controls linked to anti-social behaviour

• Misuse of car parks

• Consumption of drugs and psychoactive substances

• Misuse of fireworks (Oct/Nov only)

• Restriction on significant anti-social behaviour, individually or as a group

• Anti-social loitering within 10 metres of a cashpoint

• Anti-social use of amplification

From October 31, community safety enforcement officials in Royal Greenwich gained the power to impose £100 immediate fines for individuals found violating any of these new orders.

Greenwich Council's consultation saw over 75 per cent of respondents support the proposal for the new borough-wide PSPO.

Cllr Ann-Marie Cousins, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said: “As a Royal borough we are unapologetically taking a harder stance against known and persistent anti-social behavioural issues as we are committed to ensuring that people in our borough are safe and feel safer.

“Our residents and businesses have told us about the detrimental impact anti-social behaviour of this kind can have on living, working and visiting our neighbourhoods – they often feel powerless, intimidated and fearful of being in certain parts of the borough at certain times. No one should feel this way.

“I wholeheartedly welcome this boroughwide PSPO which will be in place for the next three years. Not only will it allow us the legislative right to keep our borough cleaner and safer, but most importantly, deliver on what residents have asked us to do.”