Braintree District Council has tightened its PSPO for the town centre and Weavers Park, allowing on-the-spot £100 fines or prosecution for people judged to be having a "detrimental impact". The updated order explicitly bans unauthorised tent encampments, disruptive public drinking, aggressive begging and other anti-social behaviour. Council leaders say the changes improve enforcement, while housing teams and the CHESS charity will continue to offer support and accommodation referrals.
Braintree Tightens PSPO: £100 On-the-Spot Fines and Ban on Unauthorised Tent Encampments
Braintree District Council has amended rules on anti-social behaviour in Braintree town centre [Braintree District Council]
Braintree District Council has strengthened its public spaces protection order (PSPO) covering Braintree town centre and Weavers Park, giving officers new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. Under the revised order, people judged to be having a "detrimental impact on others" may be issued with a £100 on-the-spot fixed penalty notice or face prosecution.
What Has Changed
The updated PSPO, which came into effect on Monday, explicitly prohibits several behaviours that were not previously referenced. Key additions include:
- Unauthorised tent encampments or similar structures erected without consent that have had, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of people in the locality.
- The consumption of alcohol in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to any person.
- Anti-social behaviour, rowdy public drinking and aggressive begging within the designated areas.
New signage has been installed across the designated zones to explain the updated rules to the public.
Council Statement and Support Services
Charley Dervish, the council's Conservative cabinet member for better communities, said the changes empower authorities to "take more effective enforcement action" where behaviour is causing problems for residents and businesses.
A council spokesperson added that the housing options team and CHESS, the local homelessness charity, actively work with individuals to refer them to support services and help find suitable accommodation. The council also carried out a public consultation before finalising the amendments.
Enforcement and Next Steps
Anyone who does not comply with the PSPO may be handed a fixed penalty notice of £100 or prosecuted. The council says enforcement will focus on incidents that have a demonstrable detrimental impact on the local community, while support remains available for people in need.
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