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Bedford Borough Council is calling on residents, businesses, and visitors to share their thoughts on a proposed new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). 

This new PSPO aims to help tackle persistent anti-social behaviour in Bedford town centre.

What is a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)?

A PSPO is a tool available to local authorities to address anti-social behaviour in specific areas. Its aim is to ensure that public spaces can be enjoyed by everyone, free from anti-social behaviour.

PSPOs were introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 to address specific nuisances or issues detrimental to local businesses, visitors and communities by imposing conditions on the use of certain areas. This approach aims to enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.

Proposed new three-year PSPO

The proposed three-year PSPO seeks to consolidate two existing orders and introduce new measures to tackle a range of issues regularly reported to the Council and its partner agencies. These include drinking alcohol, aggressive begging, spitting and littering in public spaces, and using these places as toilets.

Further issues covered include people accessing stairwells or rooftops in public places to commit anti-social behaviour and riding a bike in the pedestrianised area of Bedford town centre between 9am-6pm, or a skateboard or e-scooter at any time.

The existing order, restricting the use of cycles, e-scooters and skateboards, will end on 8 June 2025, and the alcohol-related Public Spaces Protection Order ends on 15 December 2026. The new Public Spaces Protection Order aims to create one unified order to improve clarity and enforcement. 

See more about current Public Spaces Protection Orders in Bedford Borough.

 

Type of PSPO / restriction

Alcohol

Proposed restriction: Consumption of alcohol in public places.

See area highlighted pale purple in map 1 (PDF). 

Aggressive / persistent begging

Proposed restriction: Aggressive / persistent begging in public places.

See area highlighted pale purple in map 1 (PDF).

Cycles

Proposed restriction: Riding a cycle between 09:00 and 18:00 in the pedestrianised area of Bedford Town Centre.

See area highlighted red on map 3 (PDF).

Skateboards and e-scooters

Proposed restriction: Riding a skateboard or e-scooter in the pedestrianised area of Bedford Town Centre.

See area highlighted red on map 3 (PDF).

 

Littering, spitting, urinating and defecating

Proposed restriction: Spitting, urinating and defecating in public places

For designated area see area highlighted pale purple in map 1 (PDF)

Proposed restriction: Littering, spitting, urinating and defecating in enclosed public spaces.

See areas highlighted blue on map 2 (PDF)

Stairwells / rooftops

Proposed restriction: Accessing stairwells or rooftops in public places for the purpose of committing anti-social behaviour.

See area highlighted blue on map 2 (PDF).

How to have your say

Please complete online questionnaire below:

Complete the Town Centre PSPO online survey 

If you are unable to complete the survey online paper copies of the survey are also available at:

  • Bedford Central Library, Harpur Street, Bedford MK40 1PG
  • Reception at Council Offices, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AP
  • Bedford Borough Hub, Horne Lane, Bedford, MK40 1RA

Paper copies must be returned to us by 5pm on Friday 25 April 2025.

What happens next

The consultation will run from 17 March until midnight on 27 April 2025. 

Your views will be evaluated and inform a report, which will be presented to the Council's Executive committee.