Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) - Kettering Town Centre - Consultation 2026

Overview

We are consulting on a new Public Spaces Protection Area for Kettering Town Centre.

Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is a power under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, that allows a council to impose restrictions within a defined area to help tackle anti-social behaviour.

The PSPO acts as a preventative and enforcement tool, helping to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour and supporting action against those whose behaviour has a detrimental impact on others.

Evidence provided by Northamptonshire Police identifies persistent anti-social behaviour within Kettering Town Centre, including street drinking, begging, rough sleeping, drug misuse, nuisance vehicle use, youth-related disorder and behaviour causing nuisance, alarm or distress to others.

North Northamptonshire Council is seeking your views and evidence on whether a new Public Spaces Protection Order should be introduced within Kettering Town Centre for a period of three years.

Background

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Kettering Town Centre was originally introduced in 2016 and was renewed in 2019 and 2022.

During June and July 2025, North Northamptonshire Council consulted on proposals to renew the existing PSPO for a further three years.

We received 91 responses to the consultation. Of these, 87 respondents supported extending the PSPO and 4 respondents did not support an extension. Respondents highlighted ongoing concerns relating to anti-social behaviour, including street drinking, begging, substance misuse and nuisance behaviour within the town centre. The consultation responses demonstrated strong support for continued measures to address anti-social behaviour and improve community confidence.

Following the consultation, there was a period of organisational and staffing change within the service. As a result, the renewal process did not progress through the necessary governance and approval stages within the required statutory timescale.

Unfortunately, the PSPO was therefore not renewed before its expiry date and subsequently lapsed.

The feedback received during the previous consultation has not been disregarded. Responses have been retained and have informed the development of the proposed new PSPO, alongside updated evidence provided by Northamptonshire Police, Council services and partner agencies.

As the previous Order has expired, the Council cannot simply extend it and must instead consult on a new PSPO before any new restrictions can be introduced.

More information on the previous consultation can be found in the We Asked, You Said, We Did section.

Proposed PSPO

The Council is proposing a new PSPO for Kettering Town Centre for a period of three years. 

The proposed Order would include powers relating to:

• Control of commercial or charitable collections and soliciting for money in the street.
• Consumption of alcohol in public places.
• Behaviour between 11pm and 6am that is causing, or is likely to cause, nuisance, alarm or distress.
• Anti-social use of motor vehicles.
• Obstruction of the highway and loitering.
• Anti-social parking.
• Unauthorised distribution of printed material or leaflets.
• Anti-social use of skateboards, bicycles and scooters.
• Begging.
• Foul and abusive language.

The proposed restrictions are intended to address behaviours that have been identified through police evidence, community feedback and Council intelligence as having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living, working and visiting Kettering Town Centre.

Summary of Proposed Restrictions

The proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) would introduce restrictions designed to address anti-social behaviour identified through police evidence, local intelligence and community feedback. The proposed restrictions include the following:

Commercial and Charity Collections
Commercial or charitable collections and street fundraising activities would only be permitted where written authorisation has been obtained from North Northamptonshire Council.

Alcohol Consumption
Authorised Officers would be able to require individuals to stop consuming alcohol and surrender alcohol where alcohol-related behaviour is contributing to anti-social behaviour within the PSPO area. Exemptions apply to licensed premises.

Night-Time Anti-Social Behaviour
Individuals present within the area between 11pm and 6am whose behaviour is causing, or is likely to cause, nuisance, alarm or distress could be directed to leave the area by an Authorised Officer.

Anti-Social Vehicle Use
The Order would prohibit behaviours including:

• Excessive vehicle noise.
• Playing amplified music from vehicles at nuisance levels.
• Driving in a manner likely to cause nuisance, alarm, distress or harassment.

Highway Obstruction and Loitering
Individuals would be required to remove obstructions from the highway when directed to do so by an Authorised Officer.

Anti-Social Parking
The proposed Order would prohibit double parking within the restricted area where this creates obstruction or nuisance.

Unauthorised Distribution of Printed Material
The distribution of free printed materials or leaflets in Council car parks would require prior authorisation from North Northamptonshire Council.

Skateboards, Bicycles and Scooters
The anti-social use of skateboards, bicycles, scooters or similar wheeled devices that causes, or is likely to cause, nuisance, alarm or distress would be prohibited.

Begging
The proposed restriction is intended to address begging and associated anti-social behaviour. It does not prohibit homelessness or rough sleeping.

Foul and Abusive Language
Use of foul, abusive or threatening language that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to others would be prohibited.

View the draft Order

Key Evidence Supporting the Proposed PSPO

• A PSPO has operated within Kettering Town Centre since 2016 and was renewed in 2019 and 2022.
• During the 2025 consultation, 87 of 91 respondents supported renewal of the previous PSPO.
• Northamptonshire Police data continues to identify ongoing anti-social behaviour within Kettering Town Centre and surrounding streets.
• The highest concentrations of reported incidents were recorded on High Street (63 incidents), Lower Street (58 incidents), Gold Street (20 incidents) and Carrington Street (15 incidents).
• Police reports identify recurring issues relating to street drinking, begging, rough sleeping, drug use, drug dealing, nuisance vehicle use, intimidating behaviour and youth-related anti-social behaviour.
• Following review of the available evidence, the Council is proposing to extend the previous boundary of the PSPO to include the station car park.
• Police incident records also identify recurring reports involving anti-social vehicle use, public drinking, drug misuse, begging, rough sleeping, intimidation, abusive behaviour and youth-related disorder within the town centre.

Proposed Boundary

The proposed PSPO boundary has been reviewed using available evidence relating to anti-social behaviour and town centre activity. Following engagement with stakeholders the Council is proposing that the boundary of the previous PSPO be extended to include the station car park.

View a map of the PSPO.

Impact of the Order

The PSPO would provide enforcement officers and police with clear and consistent powers to address behaviours that negatively impact residents, businesses, and visitors. It is intended to:

• Act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour
• Improve feelings of safety within the town centre
• Support local businesses by creating a more welcoming environment
• Reduce incidents linked to alcohol misuse, substance use, and street-based activity
• Enable early intervention before issues escalate

Who can take part in this consultation

This consultation is open to everyone, including residents, visitors, businesses, elected members, public agencies and all other interested parties.

We are particularly interested in hearing from residents, businesses and organisations that operate within or regularly use Kettering Town Centre.

Responses received during the previous consultation have been reviewed and have informed development of the proposed new PSPO. However, because the previous Order expired, a new statutory consultation is required, and we encourage all interested parties to share their views on the current proposal.

How to have your say

You can provide your feedback by completing the online survey.

Alternatively, responses can be submitted by email or post:

Email: SaferCommunitiesTeam@northnorthants.gov.uk

Post: Safer Communities Team, North Northamptonshire Council, 1st Floor, Deene  House, New Post Office Square, Corby, NN17 1GD

What happens next

Once the consultation has closed, all responses will be reviewed and considered alongside other available evidence.

If, following consideration of the consultation responses and supporting evidence, the Council decides to introduce the proposed PSPO, the new Order would remain in force for up to three years.

The outcome of the consultation and the Council's decision will be published on the North Northamptonshire Council website.

This consultation will close at 23:59 on 28 September 2026

At the end of the survey there is an opportunity, for those responding as an individual, to share some demographic information. The purpose of asking for equality monitoring information is to check that our consultation and engagement activities have reached an audience that reflects our community and ensure everybody has an opportunity to be heard. It is voluntary and we thank you, in anticipation, for taking the time to share your details.

For information about how consultation and engagement responses are managed, please see the consultation and engagement privacy notice.