09/01/2026
Do you remember the consultation on the proposed changes to the Lowestoft Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)?
In October 2025 and extended on 1st December 2025, East Suffolk Council asked residents, businesses and visitors in Lowestoft to have their say on proposed changes to the PSPO, including measures to tackle alcohol related anti-social behaviour, misuse of e scooters and e bikes, public urination, spitting, and other behaviours that cause nuisance or distress.
The feedback received through the public consultation and online survey has now helped shape the final draft proposals, which will be considered by Cabinet on 3 February.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views.
East Suffolk Council (“the Council”) in exercise of its powers under Section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 ("the Act") and all enabling powers hereby makes the following Order:-
LOWESTOFT TOWN CENTRE & SURROUNDING AREAS
PUBLIC SPACES PROTECTION ORDER (PSPO) 2026
1. This Order shall come into operation on [DATE] and shall have effect for a period of three years.
2. This Order relates to the areas shown in Schedule 1 to this Order ("the Restricted Area"). In the event that there is any inconsistency between the list of roads and the map in Schedule 1, the area delineated by the red line on the map shall prevail.
3. The Council is satisfied that the conditions set out in Section 59(2) of the Act have been met. In summary, that anti-social behaviour and criminal activities have and are taking place within the Restricted Area. These activities have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.
4. The Council is further satisfied that the conditions set out in Section 59(3) of the Act have been met. In summary, that the effect or likely effect of the activities is, or is likely to be, of a persistent or continuing nature and that these activities are unreasonable and justify the restrictions imposed by this Order and that it is in all the circumstances expedient to make this Order for the purpose of reducing crime and/or anti-social behaviour in a public place.
5. The effect of this Order is to impose the following conditions on the Restricted Area:
a) No person shall consume alcohol in a public space save for in premises described in the exceptions set out in section 62 of the Act (premises licensed for the supply of alcohol or where the consumption of alcohol is otherwise permitted by statute). An authorised person who reasonably believes that a person is or has been consuming alcohol in breach of this prohibition may require that person to stop and/or to surrender anything which the authorised person reasonably believes to be alcohol, for disposal as the authorised person sees fit.
b) Any persons congregating in a group of four or more within the restricted area and acting in such a manner as an authorised person reasonably believes is having a detrimental effect on other users of the space or the community generally may require those persons to immediately disperse and not to return to the restricted area within 48 hours.
c) No person shall use any bicycle or motorised vehicle including e-scooters and e-bikes, in an anti-social manner. An authorised person may require a person to dismount if they are or have been using such a vehicle in such a way within the restricted area and the authorised person reasonably believes that the person’s use of it is having a detrimental effect on other users of the space or the community generally.
d) No person shall wear a face covering in an attempt to conceal their identity and/or whose conduct whilst wearing it causes an authorised person to reasonably believe it is being worn to avoid detection of crime and/or anti-social behaviour. This includes but is not limited to scarves, balaclavas, and masks. An authorised person may require any person to remove such a face covering whilst in the restricted area. For the avoidance of doubt, face coverings worn in respect of religious or cultural beliefs or in relation to any other protected characteristic are excluded from this requirement.
6. A person who fails to comply with paragraph 5(a) of this Order is guilty of an offence under section 63 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale or a fixed penalty of up to £100 (or such other amount as may be authorised by The Sentencing Council from time to time).
7. A person, who fails to comply with any other obligation imposed by this order, is guilty of an offence under section 67 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or a fixed penalty of up to £100 (or such other amount as may be authorised by The Sentencing Council from time to time).
8. An "Authorised Officer of the Authority" means a Local Authority employee, a person designated by the Local Authority, a Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer who is authorised in writing by East Suffolk Council for the purposes of giving directions and enforcing the prohibitions made under this Order.
9. Under section 66 of the Act an interested person may apply to the High Court to challenge the validity of this Order within 6 weeks of it coming into force. A person charged with an offence under the Act may challenge its validity by raising the defence in section 67(3) of the Act.
Dated this … day of … 2026
The Common Seal of East Suffolk Council is hereto affixed and authenticated by:
Signed………………………………….
Authorised Officer
Date:……………………………………
Suffolk Constabulary Official Page Suffolk County Council Lowestoft Town Council Lowestoft Police East Suffolk Council
