Public Spaces Protection Orders
Contents
What is a PSPO?
The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was introduced in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to allow local authorities flexibility in protecting public spaces from persistent anti-social or unwelcome behaviour.
Breach of an order may result in a fixed penalty of £100, or an offender can be summoned to appear at court.
PSPOs must be extended, discharged or varied after a period of three years.
What does a PSPO mean for me?
Most people won’t be affected by the introduction of a PSPO as they designed to target or address unwanted behaviour caused by a minority of residents or visitors to our borough.
Current Orders
These are the existing orders as of June 2025. The extension (to 2027) of orders 6-10 was recently approved by Cabinet with an expiry date that brings them into alignment with other orders:
| Order No. | Restriction | Applies to | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amplified music | Tunbridge Wells (TW) town centre | 14 October 2027 |
| 2 | Alcohol control | TW town centre, Ridgeway (Southborough), Grosvenor Park, Hilbert Park, St John's Park | 14 October 2027 |
| 3 | Dog fouling | Boroughwide | 14 October 2027 |
| 3 | Dogs excluded | Children’s fenced play areas in parks | 14 October 2027 |
| 3 | Dogs on leads | St Marks Rec., TW Rugby Club | 14 October 2027 |
| 4a | Dogs on leads | Nevill Ground, TW Cricket Club | 14 October 2027 |
| 6 | Dogs on leads | Dunorlan Park | 14 October 2027 |
| 7 | No fishing 7pm-7am | Sherwood Lake (residential side) | 14 October 2027 |
| 8 | Alcohol control | Sherwood Lake | 14 October 2027 |
| 9 | Curfew, 11pm-5am | St John’s Park | 14 October 2027 |
| 10 | No loitering | Car parks: RVP, Crescent Road, Great Hall, Meadow Road, Torrington | 14 October 2027 |
Links to the orders shown in the table above can be found in the “PSPO Documents” section below.
New and Upcoming
New Orders
We will soon (likely August 2025, depending on Cabinet approval) run a public consultation for a new order requiring dogs be kept on leads in The Grove park in Tunbridge Wells:
| Order No. | Restriction | Applies to | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Dogs on Leads (PROPOSAL) | The Grove | 14 October 2027 |
The draft order for PSPO No. 11 can be accessed in the “PSPO Documents” section below.
Future consultations
The Council is also considering whether to introduce controls on 'chuggers'—individuals who engage in face-to-face fundraising by approaching members of the public in the street to solicit direct debit donations on behalf of charities.
Later this year officers will present a request to Cabinet to consult with the public on whether such activities should be restricted in Tunbridge Wells town centre to address concerns about nuisance or obstruction.