Public spaces protection orders

We use public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) to look after public areas where anti-social behaviours are a problem.

Under an order, we can introduce conditions for a particular area. It is a criminal offence to engage in the prohibited behaviours within that area, without reasonable excuse. Anyone caught by a police officer or other authorised person may receive a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 or be prosecuted - if convicted you could face a fine of up to £1,000.

Under orders restricting the consumption of alcohol in public places, a police officer or other authorised person may require you to stop drinking and hand over any alcohol for disposal. It is an offence not to do so, with a maximum fine on conviction of £500. Fixed penalty notices of up to £100 may also be issued. These orders will not affect the use of licensed pub beer gardens or event sites.

We work with District Enforcement - a company that specialises in enviro-crime enforcement - to issue Fixed Penalty Notices. Find out more about District Enforcement.

Making an order

We can make a PSPO to prohibit specified behaviours, or require them to be carried out in certain ways, if:

• activities have been (or are likely to be) carried on in a public place, which have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the area
• the effect of the activities is persistent or continuing in nature, makes the activities unreasonable, and justifies the restrictions in the order 

Before making, extending, varying or discharging orders we will hold a consultation. Details of these will be publicised. Consultations will include the police, the police and crime commissioner, community representatives, and owners/occupiers of land within the restricted area. 

Current orders

The following PSPOs are currently in force in Dacorum or are proposed.

PSPO orders for Dacorum

Area included	Activities restricted	Next scheduled review date	Information and map(s)
Hemel Hempstead town centre	Cycling, skateboarding and use of e-scooters, spitting (including the discharge of chewing gum), urinating, defecating	28 July 2025	Hemel Hempstead town centre PSPO (PDF 585KB)
Borough of Dacorum	Dog fouling, dog control, exclusion of dogs in specified areas	28 July 2025	Borough of Dacorum dog PSPO (PDF 960KB)
Hemel Hempstead town centre, Gadebridge Park, Old Town, Randall Park Berkhamsted and Northchurch Bovingdon Boxmoor Evans Wharf Frogmore End, Durrants Hill Road	Consumption of alcohol in public places	11 April 2027	Consumption of Alcohol PSPO (PDF 1.88MB)

Challenging an order

Anyone who lives in an area covered by an order, or who regularly works in or visits the area, may challenge the validity of the order at the High Court. Such challenges must be made within six weeks of the date on which the order (or variation of an order) was made.