Public Spaces Protection Order - Intoxicating Substances

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) concerning anti-social behaviour and the taking of intoxicating substances in Rugby town centre was renewed in March 2022.

The order covers the ingesting, inhaling, injecting, smoking or otherwise of a substance which stimulates or depresses the central nervous system.

What constitutes an offence under the PSPO?

Alcohol

If a police officer or other authorised person reasonably believes you are, or have been, consuming alcohol in breach of the order or you intend to consume alcohol in circumstances in which doing so would breach this order, you may be required to not consume alcohol or any substance believed to be alcohol, and surrender anything in your possession which is, or reasonably believed to be, alcohol or a container for alcohol.

Failure to comply with a requirement from a police officer or other authorised person without reasonable excuse is an offence, liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level two on the standard scale (currently £500).

Other substances

It is an offence for a person without reasonable excuse to breach the PSPO in terms of the ingestion, inhalation, injection, smoking or otherwise of an intoxicating substance. A person guilty of an offence under this section of the order is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level three on the standard scale (currently £1,000).

Fixed Penalty Notices

A police officer or other authorised person may issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 (discounted to £75 if paid within ten days) to anyone believed to have committed an offence under the PSPO. 

Download the full Public Spaces Protection Order