The Regulatory Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Tuesday 03 February 2026 to discuss the extension of two Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) concerning anti-social activity and dog control. The committee approved the draft revised orders for public consultation, which will run for over seven weeks.

Consultation on Public Spaces Protection Orders for Anti-Social Activity and Dog Control

The committee discussed the proposed extension of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Public Spaces Protection Order 2023 for Anti-Social Activity and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Public Spaces Protection Order 2023 for Dog Control. These orders are due to expire on 21 September 2026, and the council sought approval to consult on extending them for a further three-year period.

Matt Ormond, Interim Parks Service Manager, and Sasha O'Neill presented the report, explaining that PSPOs are a key tool under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to address persistent antisocial behaviour. The council's approach prioritises education and advice, with formal action taken only when necessary. Since September 2023, the Parks Patrol contractor has issued 1,286 advisories or warnings, directed 448 people to leave, and issued 388 fixed penalty notices, with six prosecutions.

The consultation, scheduled to begin on 4 February 2026 and end on 26 March 2026, aims to gather community feedback on residents' experiences with the current PSPOs, any changes in behaviour, and views on whether the measures should continue. The feedback will inform a further report to the committee and full council.

During the discussion, councillors raised several points. One councillor shared a personal experience of being attacked by a dog, questioning the scope of the order and whether it adequately covered areas beyond parks, such as back alleys and housing estates. The officers clarified that while the current proposal does not extend the scope, the consultation would help gather feedback on potential changes.

Concerns were also raised about specific wording in the draft orders, particularly regarding model aircraft and drones. Councillor Matthew Hull highlighted a potential contradiction in the wording related to electrically powered aircraft, suggesting it might be an error. The officers agreed to review and correct this drafting error before the consultation documents were published. Discussions also touched upon the weight limits for model aircraft and the need for clarity on the conditions under which they could be flown.

The effectiveness of the PSPOs was discussed, with a councillor requesting trend data on complaints over the past nine to ten years to understand if problems were increasing or decreasing. The officers confirmed they could compare figures from the last three to six years and explained the process for handling complaints, directing them to the council's online form or formal complaints procedure.

The potential for extending the PSPOs to cover other areas, such as pavements and grass verges for fireworks and sky lanterns, was debated. While some councillors suggested a more proactive approach, others emphasised the need for evidence and public consultation before implementing further restrictions. The consensus was to include questions in the consultation to gauge public opinion on these broader issues.

The committee also noted that this would be the fourth extension of the PSPOs, with no legislative limitations on the number of extensions. The process for appealing fixed penalty notices was also clarified, including the requirement for bodycam footage for Civil Enforcement Officers and the ability for motorists to submit their own evidence.

Ultimately, the committee resolved to:

• Approve the revised draft Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for Anti-Social Behaviour and Dog Control for consultation.
• Agree to proceed with the public consultation process for extending the PSPOs for a further three-year period.
• Note that a further report would be submitted to the Regulatory Committee and Full Council following the consultation.
• Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Resident Services to finalise and publish the consultation documentation.

The meeting concluded with thanks to the officers for their work on the PSPOs.