Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) - Nuisance vehicles 2024

Overview

The consultation will consider whether there is a need to renew the Council’s existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) - Nuisance vehicles, for another three years.

The 2021 public consultation showed overwhelming support for the extension of the PSPO – Nuisance vehicles, for a further three years, the expansion of the PSPO to cover the whole of the borough and the increased use of acoustic cameras. This Order was created to manage a minority of drivers 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 2021 and is due to expire on the 26 November 2024. Details of the current PSPO can be found on the PSPO pages of the Council’s website.

We would like to know from residents and key stakeholders if they support the renewal of the PSPO – Nuisance vehicles for a further three years. It is intended that the prohibitions remain the same as the 2021-2024 PSPO. Since November 2021 to 3rd October 2024 1,615 breaches of the PSPO – nuisance vehicles were recorded, with 577 fixed penalty notices being issued for nuisance vehicle offences.

 Anyone being the driver of a vehicle (motorised or otherwise) must not perform any of the following activities:

• Revving of engine(s) (as to cause a public nuisance)
• Sudden and/or rapid acceleration (as to cause a public nuisance)
• Repeated sudden and/or rapid acceleration (as to cause a public nuisance)
• Racing by two or more vehicles
• Performing stunts (as to cause a public nuisance)
• Sounding horns (as to cause a public nuisance)
• Playing music from a vehicle (as to cause a public nuisance)
• Using threatening, intimidating behaviour towards another person
• Causing obstruction on a public highway, whether moving or stationary, including driving in convoy

The current PSPO prohibits these activities between the hours of 12pm and 6am.

Why your views matter

The Council has a statutory obligation to consult and consider the views of the public before implementing any Public Space Protection Order as well as meeting other statutory conditions as highlighted below:

The first condition is that: 

1. Activities carried on a public place within the authority’s area have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the local in the locality, or
2. 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: 

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

We would be grateful if you could spend a few minutes completing our survey. 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.