Community safety in Medway

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO)

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) help councils and their partners to tackle anti-social behaviour in their local areas.

PSPOs deal with a particular nuisance or problem that can impact the local community’s quality of life. They're designed to help people enjoy safe public spaces.

Powers to create PSPOs came into force in October 2014. 

PSPOs in Medway

Areas that have a PSPO in place for alcohol related anti-social behaviour include:

  • Chatham
  • Gillingham
  • Rochester
  • Strood.

These were previously known as ‘Alcohol Control Zones’. These zones restrict drinking alcohol in designated public places. They are now PSPOs.

Alcohol in a Restricted Area: A person consuming alcohol or having an alcohol container in the restricted area and;

  • continues drinking, without reasonable excuse, intoxicating liquor in the restricted area when asked to stop by an authorised officer and/or
  • fails to surrender any intoxicating liquor in their possession when asked to do so by an authorised officer.

The fine is by way of a fixed penalty notice of £100, payable within 28 days of the date the notice was issued. If paid within the first 21 days of the date the notice was issued, the payment is reduced to £70.

If the fixed penalty notice is not paid within the 28 days of the date the notice was issued, you may be prosecuted for the offence described above. You cannot appeal a fixed penalty notice, so if you think the notice was incorrect and choose not to pay, you will have to make your case at court. If the court thinks you committed the offence, they may impose a much larger fine.

Pubs, restaurants, and off licences do not form part of the PSPO.

Nuisance vehicles

This PSPO is to control anti-social use of motor vehicles. Some of these behaviours include, but are not limited to:

  • driving in convoy
  • performing stunts
  • revving engines
  • wheel spins
  • burnouts
  • engaging in car cruising. 

It also includes recording or congregating to spectate any of the activities listed above.

It's an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse, to engage in an activity that's prohibited by this order. If the person found in breach of this order is liable for a fixed penalty notice or on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

View the PSPO order for nuisance vehicles.

Contact us

If you have any questions email: cst@medway.gov.uk or phone: 01634 333 333 and ask to speak to an officer from the Community Safety Partnership office.

Or write to:

Community Safety Partnership
Medway Council
Gun Wharf
Dock Road
Chatham
Kent ME4 4TR