Test Valley Borough Council has approved a three-year extension of two public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) designed to clamp down on antisocial behaviour, street drinking and dog fouling across the borough. The existing orders, which have been in place since June 16, 2020, were set to expire on June 15 but will now remain active until at least 2029 if ratified by the full council next month.
Key Points
- ✅ PSPOs targeting alcohol-related antisocial behaviour and dog fouling extended until 2029
- ⚡ Orders first introduced in June 2020, initially due to expire this June
- 💡 Limited public consultation response despite widespread enforcement use
The alcohol-related PSPO focuses on Andover town centre, where officers say it has become a critical tool in managing late-night disturbances and public intoxication. The borough-wide dog fouling order, meanwhile, empowers rangers and council staff to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £100 for offenders who fail to clean up after their pets. Councillor Kirsty North, who presented the report, told cabinet members that both orders have "provided measurable benefits for the community" over the past four years.
During Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, Councillor David Drew framed the extension as essential to protecting residents from what he described as "increasingly unacceptable" behaviour in public spaces. "Fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour are two sides of the same coin — both erode community trust," Drew said. "We’re not just talking about nuisance; we’re talking about environments where families no longer feel safe letting their children play outside."
| PSPO Type | Primary Focus | Enforcement Area | Penalty Notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol & ASB | Street drinking, rowdy behaviour, public intoxication | Andover town centre | Up to £100 |
| Dog Fouling | Failure to clean up after pets | Borough-wide | Up to £100 |
However, Councillor Alison Johnston raised concerns that the consultation process yielded only a handful of public responses, suggesting that many residents may not be aware of the orders or their powers. "If people don’t know these rules exist, they can’t follow them," she said. "That’s a communication failure on our part." Cabinet chair Councillor Phil North countered that the consultation had been conducted through standard channels and that the lack of negative feedback from key stakeholders — including Hampshire Constabulary and local town councils — signalled broad approval.
💡 Pro Tip
If you receive a fixed penalty notice for dog fouling, check whether your local council offers a one-off education course as an alternative to a fine — some boroughs in Hampshire do.
Hampshire Police confirmed that officers have used the alcohol-related PSPO more than 120 times since 2022 to disperse groups causing nuisance in Andover town centre, with a 28% reduction in reported alcohol-related incidents in the designated zone. Meanwhile, council rangers have issued 47 dog fouling penalties in the same period, though enforcement officers admit the true scale of the problem remains underreported due to the difficulty of catching offenders in the act.
📋 By The Numbers
- 120+ — Alcohol PSPO interventions by police since 2022
- 28% — Drop in alcohol-related incidents in Andover town centre since 2020
- 47 — Dog fouling penalties issued by rangers since 2022
- 6 — Years the orders have been active without major public objection
The extension now heads to a full council vote scheduled for June 12, where it is expected to pass without resistance. Critics argue that PSPOs criminalise poverty and disproportionately target vulnerable groups, but council leaders insist the measures are necessary to maintain public order in high-footfall areas. "We’re not here to punish people for being poor," said Councillor North. "We’re here to stop behaviour that ruins the quality of life for everyone else."
