Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)

To help tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB), there are two PSPOs in the city centre.

Background

Our plan to help tackle ASB by means of PSPOs was widely supported in a formal public consultation process. After that we worked on how the orders should be introduced and managed. A trial scheme which was rolled out in phases, commenced in the city centre at the beginning of December 2021.

ASB exists in Swansea, as it does in most UK towns and cities. Our orders help reduce it whilst we continue to treat vulnerable people with sensitivity. We work closely with outreach services and South Wales Police.

To help us in this process, we studied how other Welsh PSPOs operate, with locations including Monmouthshire, Wrexham and Newport.

Enforcement is the last resort, following engagement and education. We continue to liaise closely with our partners to ensure that vulnerable people are treated fairly and are supported. The PSPO supplements existing police powers.

Where it is reasonable and justified, Swansea's order allows us to issue warnings and fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to tackle negative on-street behaviour such as:

toileting
consumption of alcohol away from a licensed premises when asked to stop
taking psychoactive substances also known as legal highs
consumption of controlled substances
begging
general ASB and disorder - for example persistent and excessive swearing, aggression, youth annoyance and intimidating behaviour

Under the scheme, in 2022 access was also restricted to a service lane at the bottom of St Helen's Road (behind Sin City nightclub).

These measures aim to help make the city centre a better place to shop, live, work, visit and do business. We'll continue to closely monitor their impact.

Locations and details of Swansea's PSPOs

City centre on-street PSPO
This PSPO covers all the streets within the traditional shopping area currently patrolled by the City Centre Rangers including the footprint of the Swansea Arena and Amy Dillwyn Park.
Map of city centre PSPO (PDF, 1 MB)
City centre PSPO sign (PDF, 247 KB)
Public Spaces Protection Order - Swansea City Centre (PDF, 1 MB)
Service lane off St Helens Road
To help tackle longstanding issues of fly tipping and associated pests, access to the lane located at the back of Sin City Nightclub is restricted by a PSPO. The lane is gated with restricted access to only the commercial and residential properties that need it.
Map of restricted access PSPO - St Helen's Road (PDF, 1 MB)

Frequently asked questions

How much of a problem is anti-social behaviour in Swansea?

Put simply, feedback shows people are fed up with anti-social behaviour (ASB) and are being put off going to some areas of Swansea because of it.

Our PSPOs increase the powers of the council - with the support of the police - to respond to concerns about drinking, on-street drugs and other similar problems. In a typical year, there are hundreds of complaints to us about city centre ASB.

The police reported more than 1,100 ASB and alcohol-related crimes in the city centre in the 12 months prior to the launch of the scheme.

What is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)?

A PSPO gives the council - supported by the police - extra powers to deal with anti-social behaviour on our streets such as drinking, begging, drug-taking, toileting and other behaviour where it is having a negative effect on an area. It means we can confiscate alcohol from people drinking on the streets if they refuse to stop, issue warnings and fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour and take other proactive action with our partners to help tackle the problem.

It is targeted towards certain types of behaviour as opposed to certain people.

How and when were Swansea's PSPOs put in place?

The scheme was originally introduced in the city centre in December 2021 and began with a process of explaining to the public what the PSPO means to them.

Then after this initial information and engagement process, in March 2022 we started to enforce the order.

The city centre's order is enforced by the City Centre Rangers. They have been specially trained for the task and have the support of the police. A breach of the PSPO is a criminal offence and can be dealt with through the issuing of a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £75 or a fine of up to £1,000 on prosecution. In all cases a verbal and written warning will be issued in the first instance.

How long will Swansea's PSPOs remain in place?

PSPOs cover a period of up to three years. After this they must be reviewed and, if necessary, renewed. We'll regularly review our orders to ensure that they're being effective and working in line with the public's wishes.

Why did you consult on introducing PSPOs?

A formal consultation process took place prior to introducing the PSPO scheme. We wanted to find out what people thought about the idea.

Residents, businesses, shoppers and others had the chance to give their views. We already knew there was strong support for this action from the police and businesses concerned about the impact on trade from ASB. We also knew that residents, visitors, shop workers and others were worried - and felt intimidated by - the kind of ASB that included drinking and drug taking in the street, toileting and littering of drug paraphernalia.

Our consultation feedback indicated widespread support for PSPOs across several areas in Swansea. It was trialled in the city centre to test its effectiveness in tackling ASB and reflected that we had a dedicated team of Rangers working in the city centre who could implement it.

What areas does it cover?

The city centre and the service lane at the bottom of St Helen's Road.

What about the homeless and other vulnerable people?

PSPOs are aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour - we want to stress they're not aimed at homeless people who often have complex problems and deserve our support to help them manage their lives. Alongside our partners in homeless and rough sleeper charities, the council puts a great deal of resource into supporting the homeless, with medical and social care as well as finding them a place to live. We have made a commitment that there will always be a bed in Swansea for those homeless people who want one.

We work closely with outreach providers including the likes of The Wallich, Barod, Dyfodol, Shelter Cymru and Crisis to ensure that those who are most vulnerable in society are helped. They are aware of the PSPO and will play a role coordinating activities through one of our established forums that looks at street vulnerability.

Whilst planning the PSPOs there was ongoing dialogue with our partners and we listened to people's concerns during the consultation. This information helped us shape the way in which the PSPOs look and how they will be managed on the ground. For example, staff receive specialist vulnerability training and explain to people where they can get help for issues they may be experiencing. Housing officers and outreach services will work closely with the team to engage with those who require extra support.

Won't the PSPOs just move the problem somewhere else?

PSPOs are designed to tackle ASB and prevent its spread to other places. However, displacement is possible - and this will be assessed in our regular reviews of the scheme. In Swansea's case, the PSPOs aim to target specific areas where there have been longstanding issues. The geographical spread of the PSPOs is expansive which discourages people from going elsewhere.

What do local businesses think?

Businesses, like their staff, residents and visitors alike, want to see a safer Swansea. They are fed up with anti-social behaviour which blights some businesses directly and leaves customers or staff intimidated or discouraged from using local shops, pubs or restaurants. We've talked with businesses operating in the affected areas. The city centre's Business Improvement District (BID) is supportive of our PSPOs, as are others.

Why are the PSPOs limited to just the city centre?

We know from the original consultation that people in Morriston, SA1 and upper High Street were also keen at the time to have a PSPO. However, the data showed ASB was more prevalent in the city centre. We also had a dedicated team of City Centre Rangers who could implement the PSPO on the ground.

Why is there a PSPO for the service lane at the bottom of St Helen's Road?

Known locally as Spar Lane, the lane at the rear of Sin City Nightclub was a fly-tipping hotspot. This was unsightly, a fire risk and a health hazard. The PSPO allowed us to install an automated gate to prevent access for fly-tipping. Business and residents who need access to the area continue to have it but this is limited to only them.

How are the PSPOs enforced?

The city centre PSPO is implemented on the street by the council's City Centre Rangers who patrol the area and have had specialist training. Enforcement is the last resort. However, ASB will not be tolerated and the Rangers have the support of the police where more assertive action may be required.

What is included in Swansea's PSPOs?

A balance will be struck between what residents and businesses want in order to feel safer whilst also allowing people to enjoy what the areas have to offer. This is particularly relevant to the city centre's vibrant evening and night time economy.

The PSPOs supplement and help address any gaps in the current rules and regulations - such as existing police powers and local by-laws that already cover acts such as littering and dog fouling.

The council is spearheading these proposals to help tackle anti-social behaviour at a local level. They complement the well-established multi-agency approach for those who are vulnerable and need extra support.

Restrictions

On-street alcohol consumption outdoors

Under the rules it is an offence to consume alcohol when requested by an authorised officer to stop.

Issues have been identified with people arriving, walking around and gathering in groups in public places drinking from open containers of alcohol. People under the influence of alcohol have acted in an anti-social manner. This restriction means that alcohol consumption can be formally contained within the boundaries of licensed premises only (including the designated outdoor café areas). It also provides powers for alcohol to be confiscated by designated officers as a proactive measure to help prevent the behaviour escalating. Failure to surrender may result in a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £75 being issued.

Begging

Beggars often need long-term help and support. Measures are in place locally to help those identified as being vulnerable. Nevertheless begging can be intimidating to the public and it creates a poor impression of an area. There is also evidence of aggressive begging and professional beggars who mislead the public as to their intent, whilst passive begging can be difficult to spot.

Now that begging is no longer illegal (given the repeal of the Vagrancy Act), the PSPO is an important tool to help proactively manage begging on a local level.

No consumption of controlled substances and psychoactive substances/legal highs

As in other UK towns and cities, over the years there have been numerous reports of intravenous drug use taking place openly on the street as well as the smoking or snorting of drugs and the consumption of psychoactive substances known as legal highs which can be damaging. The number of syringes and drug paraphernalia being collected is also significant.

Individuals under the influence of drugs and other substances can be aggressive and intimidating to the public. They can also be a danger to themselves.

As is the case with begging, the council works closely with several support agencies who provide a broad range of support services to those who are drug dependent.

No urination or defecation in public

Complaints have been received about instances of toileting openly taking place in view of the public. Public urination is also an issue pertinent particularly to Swansea's bustling night scene.

In the city centre at night public urinals are deployed at key times to provide alternative additional facilities. However, urination in public continues to be a problem; it causes issues for the council's cleansing teams and businesses who have to clean up the mess that is left behind.

There is ample access to public toilet facilities across in the city centre including those that are run by the council as well as several within the shops, bars and local eateries.

General ASB / public disorder

Whilst the restrictions above are quite specific, the PSPO also allows for any ASB that causes harassment, alarm or distress to be tackled. Persistent and excessive swearing, youth annoyance and aggressive or intimidating behaviour are among the negative behaviours that could result in a warning or even a FPN.

Restricted access to public lanes and footpaths

Access is restricted to a specific site located on the outskirts of the city centre.

The service lane at the bottom of St Helen's Road has been subject to longstanding fly-tipping which cause issues with rats and other pests. A system of controlled access has therefore been installed for only the businesses and residents who need access.

Controlling access to this location has mitigated the issues and enabled the council and its partners to reallocate resources, for example, to provide additional support to those affected by these measures.