Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)

Banner that says PSPO rules apply to help keep Barnet safer. Breaches could result in a £1,000 fine

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What are Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are legal orders to prevent certain behaviours in public spaces.

PSPOs aim to reduce antisocial behaviour and help everyone feel safe.

Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence and may result in a fine, and further legal action if required. 

PSPOs in Barnet and their rules

PSPO Order 1

PSPO Order 1 applies to all of Barnet and covers the following behaviours in public spaces:

  • consuming alcohol
  • behaving in manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment or alarm
  • failing to remove dog faeces
  • exercising more than 6 dogs or failing to put dogs on a lead
  • urinating, defecating and spitting
  • begging for money
  • riding e-scooters/bikes/motorised vehicles in parks or green spaces
  • using fireworks
  • building fires
  • promoting music not licensed by the council
  • using or supplying psychoactive substance

Read full details of PSPO Order 1 (PDF, 2.8 MB)

PSPO Order 2

PSPO Order 2 applies to all of Barnet and covers feeding pigeons in public spaces.

Read full details of PSPO Order 2 (PDF, 1.8 MB)

PSPO Order 3

PSPO Order 3 applies to certain parts of Burnt Oak Ward and covers entering restricted or gated areas without permission.

Read full details of PSPO Order 3 (PDF, 1.9 MB)

PSPO Order 4

PSPO Order 4 restricts loitering that causes a nuisance or distress in public areas within the following wards:

  • Burnt Oak
  • Colindale North
  • Colindale South
  • Edgware
  • East Finchley
  • Finchley Church End
  • West Finchley

Read full details of PSPO Order 4 (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Penalties

Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence and can be subject to a:

  • fixed penalty notice (FPN) of up to £100
  • fine of up to £500 for alcohol-related PSPO offences
  • fine of up to £1,000 for all other PSPO offences

Further prosecution may also follow. 

PSPOs are enforced by:

  • Council enforcement officers
  • Police officers

Report a breach of a PSPO

For antisocial behaviour

Call 101 or report antisocial behaviour online to the police. 

Environmental issues

Report an environmental issue online.

In an emergency you should call 999

How PSPOs protect our community

Download a visual graphic of our PSPO orders

Download PSPO order visual graphic (PDF, 174 KB)

A graphic showing the PSPO orders in place in Barnet

Contact the Community Safety team

  • telephone: 020 8359 7816
  • email: BarnetCST@barnet.gov.uk
  • write: Community Safety Team, London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London, NW9 4EW

Do not use these contact details to report a breach of a PSPO, use the options available on this page to report a breach of a PSPO.