Dereham Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) - Have Your Say

Breckland Council is seeking your views on a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Dereham.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, councils can introduce a PSPO in areas where certain behaviours are having a detrimental impact on the quality of life for the local community. A PSPO sets conditions on how public spaces can be used, with the aim of ensuring that everyone can enjoy these areas safely and responsibly.

We understand that this proposal has generated strong opinions and debate within the community. Your feedback is essential to help us make an informed decision that reflects local priorities and concerns.

The proposed PSPO seeks to address behaviours reported to us by Norfolk Constabulary, Dereham Town Council, and members of the public, including:

Street drinking
Begging
Anti-social use of recreational vehicles
Public urination and defecation
Anti-social and nuisance behaviour

This consultation is an opportunity for you to share your views and experiences. Your responses will help us gauge public support and may influence the final form of the order.

Consultation period:

The consultation will run until 22 February 2026. All feedback will be reviewed and presented to councillors before any decision is made.

Proposed Restrictions:

1. Street Drinking

Persons within the PSPO area, when requested by a Police Constable or an authorised Council Officer, must:

Dispose of or surrender any containers of alcohol in their possession; and/or
Disperse from the PSPO area and not return for a period of six (6) hours, unless they have a lawful reason to do so.

On Sales Licensed Premises Exemption:
This requirement does not apply to any person who is:

Within the boundary of a licensed premises, or
Consuming or possessing alcohol purchased from and consumed within an area covered by a premises licence (i.e. a pub or restaurant) or Temporary Event Notice, provided that the alcohol is being used in accordance with the authorisation granted to that premises.

This exemption does not apply once the individual leaves the licensed premises or its defined external drinking area. Any alcohol carried into the public space outside those authorised areas may be subject to surrender or disposal on request.

Lawful reason may include:

Returning home if their home is within the PSPO area

Accessing a place of work, education or training
To attend medical appointments, collecting essential medication
Providing essential care responsibilities
Fulfilling a legal obligation such as compliance with police or court bail

2. General Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and nuisance behaviour

Any person behaving in a manner that has caused, or is likely to cause, nuisance or annoyance, harassment, alarm or distress must leave the area immediately or by such time as specified by an authorised officer and not return for up to six (6) hours expect for lawful reason.

Lawful reason may include:

Returning home if their home is within the PSPO area
Accessing a place of work, education or training
To attend medical appointments, collecting essential medication
Providing essential care responsibilities
Fulfilling a legal obligation such as compliance with police or court bail

3. Congregation around Public Toilets

No person shall loiter, remain or gather in or around Barwells Court or inside/outside the public toilets, whether alone or in a group of two or more persons, unless entering or exiting the facilities, queuing, or accompanying a dependent person.

4. Anti-social use of bicycles, scooters and other manual or self-propelled wheeled vehicles.

Any person riding a bicycle, skateboard, e-bike, e-scooter or other self-propelled wheeled vehicle must do so in a manner that does not cause damage to property, or nuisance or annoyance or harassment, alarm or distress or in a manner that contravenes the highway code in the designated area. All riders must dismount in a pedestrian zone unless, they have reasonable excuse.

5. Begging

You must not beg in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress by making request(s) for money, donations or goods that are:

verbal
non-verbal
written

6. Public Decency

No person shall urinate or defecate in any public place which is not a public convenience.

How to take part:

Pleasecomplete our Dereham Public Spaces Protection Order survey on microsoft forms (opens new window), which should take approximately 5 minutes. The survey includes multiple-choice questions and space for comments.

Designated area

View the map of the designated area for the Dereham PSPO. (PDF, 126 KB)(opens new window)

Streets covered in the Dereham PSPO

Old Becclesgate including pocket park and car park
Becclesgate
Swaffham Road (B1146) as far as Old Becclesgate
War Memorial
Cherry Tree Car Park
Wellington Road as far as Cowper Road
Cowper Road
Norwich Street - between High Street and the t-junction with Cowper Rd and Commercial Road
Commercial Road
Tennis courts, skatepark, playing field on Station Road
London Road - from M&S Garage to High Street
Beatrice Avenue
Churchill Court
Banyard Place
High Street
Wrights Walk
Cross Way
Church Street
Queen Mothers Garden
St Nicholas Church and cemetery
Washbridge
Old Becclesgate
Quebec Street
Market Place
Olney Road
Barwells Court
Thompson Way
Nelson Place
Nunns Way
Chapel Walk