Kettering's new PSPO laws: What you need to know

Kettering Council's new Public Spaces Protection Order officially came into force yesterday.
A number of items are now banned in Kettering's town centre.A number of items are now banned in Kettering's town centre.
A number of items are now banned in Kettering's town centre.

We’ve outlined what you need to know, what is now prohibited in the area within the red border on the map below, and the consequences of failing to adhere to it.

Soliciting/begging: Putting yourself in a position to beg is now prohibited. Commercial and charity collection is also not allowed unless you have a written authorisation for Face to Face Fundraising by the council.

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Skateboarding: Using a skateboard at any time in the yellow area of the map is now banned. You are also not allowed to use a bicycle or scooter in the yellow area if you are causing, or likely to cause, nuisance, alarm or distress.

The PSPO map, showing where activities are prohibited from.The PSPO map, showing where activities are prohibited from.
The PSPO map, showing where activities are prohibited from.

Drinking: Consuming alcohol or having an open alcohol container after being asked to stop drinking or hand it over is now prohibited. This does not apply to licensed premises.

Anti-social driving: Running an engine so loud it causes ‘noise nuisance’ is barred, as is playing loud music in your car. Drivers and passengers must also not behave in a way or drive in a manner that could cause harrassment or distress.

Under 18s: Any person under the age of 18 must not be in the prohibition area between 11pm and 6am. If you are unable to prove you are over 18, you must go back to your residence.

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Swearing: Swearing or shouting in a manner that could cause harrassment or distress is now banned.

The PSPO map, showing where activities are prohibited from.The PSPO map, showing where activities are prohibited from.
The PSPO map, showing where activities are prohibited from.

Loitering: Causing an obstruction on a street in the prohibition area, having been asked to move the obstruction, is now banned.

Distributing leaflets: Distributing free printed leaflets in a council car park in the prohibition area without authorisation from the council is now barred.

Parking: Drivers are not allowed to park a vehicle adjacent to another vehicle that has parallel parked.

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The laws, which came into force yesterday, will last for a period of three years.

They will be enforced by council officers, police constables and PCSOs.

If you do something that is banned by the order, or fail to do something lawfully required by it, you are committing an offence under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

If an authorised person believes you have committed an offence, they may issue you with a fixed penalty notice of £100.

If you do not pay within 14 days, you may be prosecuted.

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The offences are punishable by a level three fine of £1,000, with alcohol offences punishable by a fine of £500.

A Kettering Council spokesman said it was not employing any extra wardens specifically for enforcement of the PSPO.

To view the map in more detail, click here.

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