Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) - Nuisance vehicles

Overview

The consultation will consider whether there is a need to extend the Council’s existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) - nuisance vehicles for another three years, and also consider its expansion. This Order was originally created to manage a minority of drivers in and around the Knightsbridge area whose driving habits create a nuisance to the local community and environment, affecting the quality of life of both residents and those working in the area. The Order was renewed in 2018 and is due to expire on the 26 November 2021. Details of the current PSPO can be found on the PSPO pages of the Council’s website.

Alongside extension of the Order for a further three years, expansion is being considered in response to the significant number of anti-social behaviour complaints received about nuisance vehicles from wards across the borough. We are therefore keen  to consult with local residents and other stakeholders, and gather further data with the aim of assessing the need to expand the Order. 

Recent evidence gained through the use of acoustic cameras within the existing PSPO area, over a three month period, resulted in us issuing 144 fixed penalty notices. The PSPO has been an extremely useful tool for council and police officers, in being able to tackle the nuisance caused by vehicles and raising awareness of the ASB caused by these vehicles.

Why your views matter

Please view the Council's Nuisance Vehicles - Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)

The council has to meet certain statutory conditions in order for a PSPO to be created, varied or expanded. (Section 59 (2) and (3) of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014).

The first condition is that:

• Activities carried on in a public place within the authority’s area have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, or it is likely that activities will be carried on in public place within that area and that they will have such an effect.

 The second condition is that the effect, or likely effect, or the activities:

• Is, or is likely to be, of a persistent nature,
• Is, or is likely to be, such as to make the activities unreasonable, and
• Justifies the restriction imposed by the notice.  

Consulting on the extension and the expansion of the PSPO, and gathering further data, will ensure statutory conditions are met, and importantly, ensure the views of affected local communities are listened to. It will also support a robust evidence base. Recommendations made will give the council, and the Police, the best opportunity to continue taking steps towards tackling this nuisance.

If you know someone who is unable to access the internet or needs consultation material in another format, please email pspo@rbkc.gov.uk or telephone 020 7361 3001