Public space protection orders (PSPOs)

The 2014 Act gives councils the authority to draft and implement public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) in response to the particular issues affecting local communities, providing certain criteria and legal tests are met.

Guide contents

Cowbar public spaces protection order

The council recently exercised its PSPO powers to prohibit antisocial behaviour and nuisance on open space at Cowbar in order to tackle issues associated with visitors camping here including overnight.

The order does not prohibit camping but does prohibit a range of antisocial behaviours which have been associated with a minority of visitors to Cowbar over the last few years. The council welcomes responsible visitors and encourages them to respect their surroundings including nearby natural habitats during their stay.

A hybrid enforcement model, whereby both Cleveland police and the council will carry out enforcement activities and issue fixed penalty notices for breaches, has been agreed with Cleveland police.

 The PSPO gives police officers (or an authorised person) discretionary powers to take enforcement action by issuing on the spot £100 fines (fixed penalty notice) to members of the public who:

  • deposits any litter anywhere within the  Cowbar Open Space restricted area other than in a receptable intended for this purpose (Cleveland police and Redcar & Cleveland council)
  • urinates or defecate anywhere within the Cowbar Open Space restricted area (Cleveland police and Redcar & Cleveland council)
  • deposits any human waste, including grey water or chemical toilet waste, anywhere within the Cowbar Open Space restricted area other than in a facility designed for this purpose (Redcar & Cleveland council)
  • lights a fire, barbeque (including disposable barbeques), candle or stove of any type in the Cowbar Open Space restricted area (Redcar & Cleveland council)
  • places, throws or drops anything likely to cause a fire (Redcar & Cleveland council)
  • acts in such a way which causes or is likely to cause alarm, harassment, distress, or nuisance to the public, including people living in the locality, in particular shouting and swearing at, or abusing, threatening or otherwise intimidating (including by the use of sexual language or making sexual suggestions) another person (Cleveland police and Redcar & Cleveland council)

You can find further details of the restrictions in place at this location including a map showing the extent of the no antisocial behaviour and nuisance zone by viewing the PSPO documents below:

 PSPO consultations

The council sought views on its proposals to take new powers to tackle antisocial behaviour and nuisance and camping at Cowbar.

This consultation closed on Monday 24 January 2022.

You can view a summary of the consultation outcome by visiting the Previous consultations | Redcar and Cleveland (redcar-cleveland.gov.uk) page.

Having complied with consultation requirements and secured overwhelming support for its proposals to do so,  the council has now exercised its powers, under section 60 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing (2014) Act, to give notice of its intention to prohibit antisocial behaviour and nuisance on open space at Cowbar.