PSPOs are used to regulate activities in public places. They give local councils and police more powers to tackle anti-social behaviour but they're not a tool to use to punish people. We'll always strive to offer appropriate help and support to the most vulnerable people in Barnsley.
What is a public space protection order?
Public space protection orders were introduced in the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
A local authority can make such an order if it's satisfied on reasonable grounds that activities carried on in a public place within the authority's area have had a negative effect on the quality of life of those in the locality. It can also be carried out if it's likely that activities will be carried on in a public place within that area and that they'll have such an effect, and that the effect, or likely effect of the activities is, or is likely to be, of a persistent or continuing nature.
The conditions of each PSPO are tailored to give local authorities and the police the necessary and proportionate powers to tackle the problems occurring, or likely to occur, in that area.
What's expected
There are a number of conditions that must be followed. These conditions are that you:
- must remove your dog's faeces from any public open land across Barnsley immediately
- must put the dog on a lead when requested to do so by an authorised officer
- must keep a dog on a lead in a cemetery
- can't take a dog into or keep it within a fenced/enclosed children's play area
- must carry suitable means to remove any dog fouling
These conditions are what members of the public would expect from responsible dog ownership and aren't meant to implement unnecessary restrictions on dog owners.
You can take a look at the PSPO for Dog Control.
Fines
As part of this protection order we do expect a person in charge of a dog to follow these rules. Posters have been put up around the borough reminding people of these rules and anyone not following them may be fined up to £1,000.