From 7 November 2023 a Coastal Area Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) will be in place, covering the area highlighted in the maps within the order. This follows a public consultation and subsequent Protecting our Coastal and Open Spaces public report.

The order will be in place for 3 years. The PSPO will give authorised BCP officers and Dorset Police the ability to address the following activities:

• no person shall be, or encourage others to be, aggressive towards other persons or be verbally abusive, including swearing in an aggressive manner in the "Designated Area"
• to reduce the volume of music when requested by an authorised officer within "the Designated Area".
• a person or persons must not urinate or defecate anywhere other than public toilets in the "Designated Area"
• no person(s) shall light an open fire in the "Designated Area" at any time
• no person(s) shall use a barbecue (BBQ) between the hours of 7am and 6pm in the "Designated Area"

In accordance with Section 68 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a constable or authorised person may issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone they have reason to believe has committed an offence under this Order. Such notice offers the person to whom it is issued the opportunity to discharge their liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty. The penalty is set at £100 to be paid within 28 days but is reduced to £75 if paid within 14 days.

Please see the full Coastal Area PSPO for more details.

Definition of a PSPO

PSPOs were brought in under section 59 to 65 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

They specify an area where activities are taking place that are or are likely to be detrimental to the local community's quality of life, and impose conditions or restrictions on people using that area.

They are designed to ensure the law abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from antisocial behaviour.

For further information please contact asbteam@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.