Northampton residents could face £500 fines under THREE new anti-social behaviour rules

The Reform-led West Northamptonshire Council is proposing three new restrictions to its Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which covers the whole of Northampton. The proposals will go before the council's cabinet on November 10.

One proposed change would allow police officers and authorised council officers to ask people to remove face coverings where there is no reasonable excuse for wearing them.

The council's report defines a face covering as: "Any garment or material worn over or partially over the head and/or face in order to conceal or partially conceal a person's identity while causing or attempting to cause intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress or anti-social behaviour generally or commit crime."

It specifically states: "For the sake of clarity, a face covering will not include anything worn for religious, health or work reasons."

The report lists balaclavas, scarves, snoods and masks as examples of items that could be covered by the restriction.

A second proposed restriction would prohibit people from sitting or lying on the floor in or next to doorways without the permission of the building's owner or occupier.

The wording in the proposed order states: "Sitting or laying on the floor in or adjacent to any doorway or portico, without the express permission of the building's owner or occupier."

The third proposed restriction would target people loitering within five metres of cash machines or car park payment stations, either alone or in groups, where their behaviour causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance.

The proposed wording states: "Loitering within 5 metres of a cash machine or car parking payment station, either individually or in a group, in a manner causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to any person."

Explaining the reasoning behind the proposal, the council's consultation report says the main concern raised by respondents was "personal security and intimidation, particularly while withdrawing cash or entering payment details."

It also records concerns about how the five-metre distance would be measured and how legitimate queuing or waiting would be distinguished from loitering.

If the changes are approved, breaching any of the additional restrictions without a reasonable excuse could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £500.

Alternatively, offenders could be prosecuted in the magistrates' court, where the maximum fine on conviction is £1,000.

The existing order was introduced in 2020 and last extended in 2023. The council is proposing to extend it for another three years.

The existing PSPO prohibits the use of intoxicating substances, including illegal and psychoactive drugs, and possessing items intended to take or use them, including needles and smoking devices other than e-cigarettes. It also restricts drinking alcohol in public when asked to stop by police or an authorised council officer, and bans urinating or defecating in public places where toilets are provided, as well as spitting. People can also be told to stop riding bicycles or scooters and busking by police or authorised council officers. There are also various rules for dog owners to abide by in specific areas of the town.