Status: Current
We are conducting research until 2 September 2024 on whether or not to renew or extend our current public space protection order (PSPO) about certain anti-social behaviour in Rother.
Our current public space protection order runs for three years and ends in April 2025. We are taking this opportunity to find out about the effect of the current order and if it needs updating.
We would like to know if there are any other anti-social behaviours having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of residents.
The council will draft a proposal for a new order after we have gathered this information. Then, a public consultation will be carried out in the autumn.
The council would particularly like to hear from Battle, Bexhill, Rye and Camber residents, businesses and services in or near town centres and public spaces. We would like to hear from local organisations involved in housing and homelessness, low-income and crime and anti-social behaviour. We are asking for input from all the town and parish councils in Rother.
Our Current Public Space Protection Order
We want to know if there is still a case to keep the current provisions in the order. You can read the full document but here is a summary of what it covers.
A police constable, a police community support officer and an authorised officer from Rother District Council can implement the order.
- Consuming alcohol in public places in Bexhill, Battle and Camber.
- The exception is within the curtilage of licensed premises.
- The authorised officer may require that person to not consume the alcohol.
- In addition, they can require the person to surrender anything in their possession the officer reasonably believes is alcohol or a container of alcohol.
- The authorised officer may issue a fixed penalty notice of £100 as an alternative to prosecution. Those in breach of the order, consuming alcohol or refusing to surrender alcohol, is liable to summary conviction to a maximum penalty of £500 (level 2 fine).
- Aggressive or assertive behaviour while begging or soliciting for money in Bexhill, Battle and Rye parishes.
- The authorised officer may issue a fixed penalty notice of £100 as an alternative to prosecution. Those in breach of the order is liable to summary conviction to a maximum penalty of £1000 (level 3 fine).
- Rough sleeping, or leaving any materials used as bedding, in a public space in the whole of the Rother district.
- In the first instance, any person contravening this condition will be given a warning, advice and/or signposted to support services.
- This order applies to lying down, sleeping in the open air or within a vehicle or other non-fixed structure such as a caravan or tent. It includes shop doorways and car parks.
- The authorised officer may issue a fixed penalty notice of £100 as an alternative to prosecution. Those in breach of the order is liable to summary conviction to a maximum penalty of £1000 (level 3 fine).
A full copy of the Public Spaces Protection Order discussed above is available for download by clicking the button below.
Vehicles on Beaches
Earlier in the year, the council consulted on a new PSPO applying to people driving, parking and camping on beaches. There had been issues on Bexhill and Camber beaches in 2023. There was strong local support.
A new PSPO was created for 6 months from 1 July 2024. At the end of the six months the council is planning on combining the two PSPOs together into one order.
What is a Public Space Protection Order?
A public space protection order (PSPO) is a tool that can be used by councils to improve enforcement against anti-social behaviour. A PSPO gives the council’s staff and Sussex Police the power to immediately issue a penalty notice (a fine) of £100 if someone fails to comply with the order. The amount is set by law. Otherwise, the council would have to build a legal case and take people to court.
A PSPO is an immediate penalty compared to waiting for a court date and decision. Going to court might result in a higher penalty.
The order is designed to cover only specific anti-social behaviour in specific public open spaces. A case must be made that the behaviour is a) a nuisance to residents and/or visitors, b) is frequent enough to merit more action, and c) is the sort of behaviour that would be helped by issuing on the spot fines.
A PSPO does not replace laws or byelaws. It is a way to help enforce the byelaws and laws for specific local problems.
An order just adds more powers to help with enforcement and it can be a useful tool because it is an immediate, on-the-spot deterrent.
How to take part
Please take part by completing our online research questionnaire. It is compatible with laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Click on the button below
You can download a printable version of the survey. A large print version is available on request. Other formats and other languages are available on request.
Email the council with questions, requests or your responses at consultations@rother.gov.uk
Write to the council at Anti-Social Behaviour PSPO (Research), Corporate Policy and Projects Unit, Rother District Council, Town Hall, Bexhill on Sea, TN39 3JX.
Hand in a written submission to the Town Hall at Bexhill or our Customer Help Point on Wednesdays at the Almonry in Battle (Battle Town Council offices). Our customer services staff can help you use the electronic questionnaire or get a printed version.
