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Breaching a public spaces protection order

s.67Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

Doing something a public spaces protection order prohibits, or failing to comply with a requirement it imposes, without reasonable excuse.

Breaching a public spaces protection order · Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s.67Card 184 / 195

Points to prove

A public spaces protection order (or expedited order) was in force for the restricted area
s.67(1)(a)Did something the order prohibited
s.67(1)(b)Or failed to comply with a requirement the order imposed on them
Without reasonable excuse

Key definitions

Public spaces protection order (PSPO) – s.59: made by a local authority where activities in a public place have had, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality that is persistent or continuing and unreasonable.
Restricted area – the public place identified in the order. The order may prohibit specified things there, require specified things of people carrying on specified activities, or both.
Public place – s.74: any place to which the public or a section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by express or implied permission.
Scope – s.59(6): a prohibition or requirement may apply to everyone or only to certain people, at all or only certain times, and in all or only certain circumstances.

Defences

Reasonable excuse – s.67(1).
No power – s.67(3): no offence is committed by breaching a prohibition or requirement that the local authority had no power to include in the order.

Good to know

Alcohol is dealt with separately. Drinking in breach of a PSPO is not a s.67 offence (s.67(4)). Instead, failing to stop drinking or surrender alcohol when required by a constable or authorised person is an offence under s.63.
A constable or authorised person may issue a fixed penalty notice instead (s.68). The maximum fixed penalty is £500 from 26 October 2026; it was £100.
A PSPO can last up to 3 years and can be extended (s.60).

Legislation: Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s.67 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Mode of trial: Summary only
Maximum penalty: A fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000)
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Breaching a public spaces protection order: questions people ask

What are the points to prove for breaching a public spaces protection order?

1. A public spaces protection order (or expedited order) was in force for the restricted area 2. Did something the order prohibited 3. Or failed to comply with a requirement the order imposed on them 4. Without reasonable excuse

What is the maximum sentence for breaching a public spaces protection order?

A fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000)

Is breaching a public spaces protection order a summary, either-way or indictable offence?

Breaching a public spaces protection order is a summary-only offence: it is tried in the magistrates’ court.

What Act and section is breaching a public spaces protection order?

Breaching a public spaces protection order is an offence under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s.67.

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