Public orders renewed as part of wider work to tackle anti-social behaviour

16 Sep 2026

Public orders giving authorities in West Suffolk greater powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in designated areas are to be renewed and new ones created.

West Suffolk Council’s Cabinet last night agreed to the renewal of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) designed to counter everything from alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour in town centres, to people racing cars around part of a housing estate and more.

Cllr Donna Higgins, Cabinet Member for Families and Communities at West Suffolk Council said: “Anti-social behaviour in its many forms isn’t just a nuisance: it’s far more serious than that. It can have a deep and damaging effect on people’s lives, impacting their health and welling. These bad experiences can leave people feeling scared and anxious about going out such as into our town centres and other places, and impact on their enjoyment and quality of life.

“We want our communities across West Suffolk to thrive. These orders, represent just one of the ways that we work with police and other partners to identify and combat anti-social behaviour in response to the complaints and concerns raised by our residents.”

Public Space Protection Orders have to be reviewed every three years to see if there is evidence that they are still needed. They can then either be renewed, adapted or allowed to expire. The existing orders in West Suffolk were due to expire at the end of this month.

The council ran a two-stage consultation earlier this year. The first sought the views of the police and other stakeholders including town and parish councils. The second stage saw the amended orders go out for public consultation for eight weeks from 14 May to 10 July.

Existing PSPOs which are being renewed include a ban on the anti-social use of vehicles on Moreton Hall following issues of car racing near the sports centre area.

Powers to confiscate alcohol from people who are drinking in the street and carrying out anti-social behaviour in the town centres of Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill and Newmarket are also being renewed.

In Haverhill, at the request of the police, the PSPO for the town centre will now include powers against begging. This PSPO already applies in Bury St Edmunds town centre. West Suffolk Council is continuing to work to accommodate people who are street homeless and get them the support that they need for mental health or addiction issues

There are two changes in Bury St Edmunds both at the request of police. The first extends the town centre order to cover Olding Road, the skate park and the area around West Suffolk House.

The second change in Bury St Edmunds also gives powers against the aggressive use of pedal cycles and ebikes within the pedestrianised shopping area of the arc. It follows a rise in complaints of dangerous and nuisance cycling in the area. The order doesn’t restrict the use of pedal cycles in the area completely but places the emphasis on cyclists to be considerate of pedestrians around them.

One of the new orders to come in is a ban on disposable barbecues and campfires in Kings Forest, Mildenhall Forest and Thetford Forest. It follows a request from the Forestry Commission in January after a significant increase in forest fires which pose a risk to lives and properties. More than 90 per cent of those that responded to the public consultation favoured the move which will come into effect from 1 October. Anyone who breaches the order could be fined £80.

A PSPO banning dog fouling across all public open spaces in West Suffolk is also being renewed.

Dog walkers are also banned from allowing dogs in certain play areas, sports pitches, war memorial gardens and other specific areas with 11 new areas being added to this list as a result of the public consultation.

Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture said: “We have engaged and listened to our communities across West Suffolk. Thankfully, most dog walkers recognise their responsibility and bag and bin their dog’s mess and do not take them in prohibited areas such as sports pitches and children’s playgrounds. We need our communities to be our eyes and ears. If they do have evidence of someone not picking up after their dog, or walking them where they shouldn’t, they should report it to us so we can take action.”

 

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