Review of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Thatcham Town Centre (August 2025)

Background

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) were introduced in October 2014 as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. PSPOs allow councils to place restrictions and requirements on certain behaviours in an area, to make sure we can all use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour. They can be used to protect the public from behaviour that is having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the area. The behaviour must also be ongoing or happening regularly and be unreasonable.

PSPOs replaced powers to make Gating Orders, Designated Public Place Orders (street drinking restriction powers) and Dog Control Orders.

Failing to comply with a PSPO is a criminal offence and could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100, or a fine of up to £1,000 if prosecuted.

When considering what could be included in a PSPO, we know that we need to balance things that people want in order to feel safer and happier in the town, whilst at the same time not being seen to be stopping people enjoying themselves or introducing rules and regulations that can't be enforced.

Thatcham town centre was a repeat location for anti-social behaviour, and this had a significant impact on the local community. In 2022 we implemented a PSPO. This existing PSPO is due to expire in early November 2025, and under the Act, we need to review it again to see whether the PSPO is still required. The PSPO can either be extended for a further 3 years or discharged which means it will no longer be in place.

What restrictions are in place

The existing restriction to tackle behaviour which causes, nuisance, harassment, alarm or distress in Thatcham town centre is:

• Any person behaving in a manner that has caused, or is likely to cause, nuisance, harassment, alarm or distress must leave the restricted area when requested to do so by an authorised officer for a specified time, and not return to that area for a period not exceeding 24 hours.
• For example, a group is behaving anti-socially in Thatcham town centre and the police attend. The group are asked to leave the area by the police officers and are all given 'Direction to Leave' forms advising them not to return to the area for 24 hours.  
• Some of the group leave the area when asked to do so and do not return - they have not committed a criminal offence and won't be fined.
• Some of the group leave the area when asked to do so but then return to the area within 24 hours - they have breached the PSPO, committed a criminal offence and may be fined.
• Some of the group do not leave the area when asked to do so - they have breached the PSPO, committed a criminal offence and may be fined.

What is the evidence to support an extension of the PSPO?

Thames Valley Police have requested that the PSPO in Thatcham town centre is extended for a further three years. It is a preventative tool and provides a level of protection for business and the community. Police use discretion when enforcing the PSPO which is one tool at their disposal. 

Thatcham town centre continues to be a hotspot area for anti-social behaviour. The area remains on the police patrol plan 

12 'directions to leave' have been issued since the PSPO was implemented in 2022 with only one progressing to a breach. A breach occurs where a 'direction to leave' has been issued but the person returns to the 'restricted area' within the specified time. The 'directions to leave' have resulted in incidents of anti-social behaviour being diffused and have prevented further escalations in anti-social behaviour. The lack of breaches demonstrates that when issued the 'directions to leave' are being adhered to, and people are not returning to the restricted area.

You can read and/or download the supporting evidence document here. [148KB]

What the options are

Under the Act a PSPO may be discharged, extended, or varied.  The two options for Thatcham Town Centre are:

Option 1: The PSPO is discharged, which means it will no longer be in place after 10 November 2025.  

Option 2: The PSPO is extended for a further 3 years.

There is insufficient evidence to vary the PSPO, so this is not a viable option at this time. 

You can view and/or download the Draft Discharge Order, the Draft Extension Order, and a map of the area below:

• draft Discharge Order [87KB]
• draft Extension Order [189KB]
• map of the restricted area  [137KB]

Why we want your views

We want to know your views on the PSPO in Thatcham Town centre, in particular whether you think it should be discharged or extended.

You can view paper copies of the documents during the consultation period at the following times and locations:

How to take part

If you'd like to comment on our review, please complete our survey by midnight on Monday, 29 September 2025. It should take about ten minutes.

Complete our survey

If you have any questions about the PSPO, please email our Building Communities Team at WestberksBCT@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 551111.

To report any concerns about anti-social behaviour, that aren't an emergency you can either email the police or call them on 101.

What happens next

The findings of the consultation will be reported to the Building Communities Together Partnership for consideration. The final decision will be made by Delegated Officer Decision prior to the expiry of the current PSPO and by 10 November 2025.