Decision details

Renewal of alcohol and dog related Public Spaces Protection Orders

1.    To extend by three years, commencing on 24 November 2023, the period for which the Lewes Public Spaces Protection Order (Consumption of Alcohol) 2017 has effect.

2.    To extend by three years, commencing on 24 November 2023, the period for which the Lewes Public Spaces Protection Order (Dog Fouling) 2017 has effect.

Under section 60(2) of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (‘the 2014 Act’), the Council may, before a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) expires, renew the order for up to three years if satisfied on reasonable grounds that doing so is necessary to prevent—

(a)  occurrence or recurrence after that time of the activities identified in the order, or

(b)  an increase in the frequency or seriousness of those activities after that time.

In light of (a) communications from the police and Neighbourhood First officers during the period when the two existing PSPOs have been in force, and (b) the outcome of the statutory consultation from 18 September to 13 October 2023 into the proposed extension of the PSPOs, the Director is satisfied that the section 60(2) criteria above are satisfied in respect of the Consumption of Alcohol and the Dog Fouling PSPOs, and that in both cases the extension should last three years.

It was open to the Director not to extend the duration of the Council’s two existing PSPOs at all, or to extend them for less than three years.  However, it was considered that the nature of the nuisance behaviour (i.e. street drinking of alcohol in Lewes and dog fouling across the Lewes district) and its detrimental effect on those in the locality was such as to justify extending the orders and doing so for the longest period permitted, namely three years.

In accordance with section 72(1) of the 2014 Act, the Director has, in deciding whether to extend the two PSPOs and for what period, had particular regard to the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly set out in articles 10 and 11 of the Convention.