PSPOs

The Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 includes a swathe of unprecedentedly open-ended powers, which significantly undermine rights in public spaces.

The Manifesto Club is focusing on ‘Public Spaces Protection Orders’ (PSPOs), which give local authorities the power to ban any activity they judge to have a ‘detrimental effect’ on the ‘quality of life’ of a locality.

See our briefing document – Buskers and homeless under threat from new ASB powers

Briefings • PSPOs

How will councils use the ASB Act?

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act went live on 20 October. A Manifesto Club report last month found that powers will be used to ban rough sleeping, ball games and ‘inappropriate dress’. Here is the latest news on how councils and police are planning to use the new powers: Poole Council has obtained an order prohibiting street drinking and begging. Norwich City Council to ban skateboarding and rollerskating in parts of the city centre. Colchester Council plans to ban ‘boy racers’ from gathering in a retail park after 6pm. Stoke on Trent Council is planning a similar measure. Bath City Council…

Briefings • PSPOs

ASB Act Guide

From 20 October, the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act will be rolled out across the UK. The Manifesto Club has grave concerns about the unprecedentedly open-ended powers contained in this law, which could be used for anything from banning rough sleeping…

Booze bans • Dispersal powers • Leafleting bans • Public space

Banned in London – Online map

You are in danger of unwittingly committing an offence if you stray into one of 435 special zones in London. The boundaries of these zones are often unmarked and within them many everyday activities are either banned or restricted. A new Manifesto Club online Google map, Banned in London, reveals the 435 special zones that now cover half the area of the UK capital. In these areas, people can be fined or prosecuted for activities that would not otherwise be an offence – including leafleting, protesting, dog walking, gathering in groups, and drinking in public.   Go to the Banned in London…