What is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)?
When there are problems or nuisance in an area affecting the local community's quality of life, we may put rules in place to deal with it. These rules or 'orders' are designed to make sure we can all use and enjoy public spaces, safe from antisocial behaviour.
An ‘order’ places restrictions and requirements on certain behaviour in an area. The order can last up to three years. The Council can - after further consultation - extend it for a further three-year period.
It will be a criminal offence not to comply with the order, and you can either receive a fixed penalty notice of £100 or be prosecuted, which could lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
Why is a PSPO put in place?
A PSPO can be introduced if the relevant behaviour is having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of people in the area. The behaviour must be ongoing or happening regularly, be unreasonable, and its impact must be such that the restrictions and requirements should be put in place.
Why are we consulting on a PSPO?
Wigan Council are currently considering as part of the Community Safety Partnership introducing a PSPO to assist in tackling the increasing issues being caused across the borough through car cruising and to support making the roads of Wigan Borough safer.
It is now necessary to engage in an open and public consultation to give the users of the public space the opportunity to comment on whether the proposed restrictions are appropriate, proportionate, or needed at all.
What is car cruising?
The term is used to describe both groups of vehicles driving in convoy, and performances of reckless driving or stunts. It can also apply to unauthorised static meetups between car enthusiasts and other events.
Vehicles might convene on public roads, empty car parks, shopping retail parks or on open land.
Gatherings become a problem when participants use our public spaces and roads as racetracks, obstruct other vehicles, make excessive noise revving engines, playing loud music, or perform stunts like donuts, drifting and burnouts.
Many residents have complained about the fear and nuisance it brings, In the past decade, illegal street races have soared in popularity across the UK and Wigan is no exception to having many pop-up car cruises occurring within the borough, some of which attract large gatherings of spectators who line the streets to watch and film on mobile phones often live streaming through social media.
What is proposed
The effect of the proposed Order would be to restrict persons within the Borough from conducting the following Prohibited Activities, at all times.
- To participate in ‘Car Cruising’ anywhere in the geographical area of Wigan Borough
- To promote, organise or publicise, via email, the internet, social media, or any publication or broadcast any unauthorised ‘car cruising’ within the defined geographical area of Wigan Borough
- Attending any meeting of two or more vehicles in a public space either as a vehicle owner, driver, passenger, or spectator and engaging in any activity that a reasonable person would consider to be “car cruising”.
Participating in ‘Car Cruising’ means being the registered keeper or driver of, or being carried in or on a motor vehicle, when two or more vehicles (including motorbikes) being on a highway, or a publicly accessible place, at which any such vehicle, or occupant of a vehicle, performs any of the activities listed in the schedule.
Schedule
The prohibited activities referred to are:
- Causing a danger to other road users including pedestrians or causing a significant risk of damage to property by either speeding or racing
- Driving in convoy while car cruising
- Performing stunts while car cruising
- Repeatedly sounding horns (as to cause a significant public nuisance)
- Playing music excessively loud (as to cause a significant public nuisance)
- Using foul or abusive language or threatening, intimidating behaviour towards another person, or
- Causing obstruction on a public highway, or a publicly accessible place, whether moving or stationary.
Offences and penalty
- It is an offence for a person without reasonable excuse to engage in any activity that is prohibited by this order
- In accordance with Section 67 of the act, a person found to be in breach of this order is liable on summary conviction to a maximum penalty of a level 3 fine (up to £1000) or to a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.
Have your say
The consultation closes on 31st January 2025.
If you have any questions regarding this consultation email pspoconsultation@wigan.gov.uk.