A new Public Spaces Protection Order for Woking town centre

Consultation has concluded.

We are considering introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to help tackle alcohol and substance related antisocial behaviour in Woking town centre.


Your say

We want to hear from:

  • Anyone who has recently witnessed or been affected by anti-social behaviour in Woking town centre.
  • Anyone who lives in or visits Woking town centre regularly.
  • Businesses or locally based organisation with an interest or connection to the town centre.

How to take part:


About Public Space Protection Orders

What do they do?

  • Help tackle alcohol and substance related anti-social behaviour within a defined area.
  • Give the police the power to remove alcohol/psychoactive substances from individuals linked to anti-social behaviour.
  • Can prevent more serious incidents from occurring.

What do they not do?

  • Restrict sales of alcohol within the defined area.
  • Prevent people from drinking in public spaces.
  • Require any additional funding or resources.


More about our proposal

Over the last year several locations have been identified whereby residents have experienced prolonged antisocial behaviour and alcohol or substance abuse has been identified as an underlying cause.

The introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) would make it an offence to drink alcohol or consume any other psychoactive substance, such as nitrous oxide, within the boundary defined by the interactive map below, if asked by an authorised officer to stop.

A requirement can also be made to surrender any other alcohol or psychoactive substance in an individual’s possession, including any sealed containers. Failure to comply with any such requirement would be a criminal offence.

This order would therefore not prevent any member of the public from drinking responsibly within the mapped area, for example as part of a picnic.

Failure to comply with the request of an authorised officer can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) being issued or a fine of up to £1000 on conviction.

It is proposed that should a PSPO be obtained then the order will remain in place for three years. A full review of the order will then be undertaken to consider whether the evidence exists for an extension to be applied for, taking into consideration the views of the community once again.

This consultation is open for anyone who lives or visits Woking, has a business in the Borough or works for any organisation or charity within the Borough. We are also keen to hear from partners and stakeholders responding on behalf of individuals who may be impacted by the proposed order.

We are considering introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to help tackle alcohol and substance related antisocial behaviour in Woking town centre.


Your say

We want to hear from:

  • Anyone who has recently witnessed or been affected by anti-social behaviour in Woking town centre.
  • Anyone who lives in or visits Woking town centre regularly.
  • Businesses or locally based organisation with an interest or connection to the town centre.

How to take part:


About Public Space Protection Orders

What do they do?

  • Help tackle alcohol and substance related anti-social behaviour within a defined area.
  • Give the police the power to remove alcohol/psychoactive substances from individuals linked to anti-social behaviour.
  • Can prevent more serious incidents from occurring.

What do they not do?

  • Restrict sales of alcohol within the defined area.
  • Prevent people from drinking in public spaces.
  • Require any additional funding or resources.


More about our proposal

Over the last year several locations have been identified whereby residents have experienced prolonged antisocial behaviour and alcohol or substance abuse has been identified as an underlying cause.

The introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) would make it an offence to drink alcohol or consume any other psychoactive substance, such as nitrous oxide, within the boundary defined by the interactive map below, if asked by an authorised officer to stop.

A requirement can also be made to surrender any other alcohol or psychoactive substance in an individual’s possession, including any sealed containers. Failure to comply with any such requirement would be a criminal offence.

This order would therefore not prevent any member of the public from drinking responsibly within the mapped area, for example as part of a picnic.

Failure to comply with the request of an authorised officer can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) being issued or a fine of up to £1000 on conviction.

It is proposed that should a PSPO be obtained then the order will remain in place for three years. A full review of the order will then be undertaken to consider whether the evidence exists for an extension to be applied for, taking into consideration the views of the community once again.

This consultation is open for anyone who lives or visits Woking, has a business in the Borough or works for any organisation or charity within the Borough. We are also keen to hear from partners and stakeholders responding on behalf of individuals who may be impacted by the proposed order.