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Downton and Redlynch Public Spaces Protection Order

A Public Spaces Protection Order, or PSPO, was introduced in Downton and Redlynch in August 2022 in response to a rise in complaints of anti-social behaviour involving the use of catapults. 

The details of the Order can be found below. 

Wiltshire Council Public Spaces Protection Order (No.1) 2022

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

  1. This Order may be cited as the Wiltshire Council (Public Spaces Protection Order) (No.1) Order 2022. Wiltshire Council ('the Council') considers that (a) activities carried on in a public place within the authority's area have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, or (b) it is likely that activities will be carried on in a public place within that area and that they will have such an effect; (c) the effect, or likely effect, of the activities is, or is likely to be, of a persistent or continuing nature and is, or is likely to be, such as to make the activities unreasonable.
  2. In this Order "authorised person" means a Police Officer or other person who has been authorised by Wiltshire Police or the council. The area to which the Order shall apply is in Downton and Redlynch; it is referred to as the 'restricted area' and, more specifically, is shown edged in red on the plan accompanying this Order.
  3. In the restricted area a person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse he or she does any of the following:
    a) Possesses a catapult, slingshot or similar item capable of launching a missile that could cause harm or damage to a person, animal or property. This does not preclude the powers of the police with regard to an item recognised in law as an offensive weapon;
    b) Fails to surrender any catapult, slingshot or similar item capable of launching a projectile in their possession when asked to do so by an authorised person.
    c) Possesses stones, ball bearings, pellets or similar item(s) capable of being launched as a projectile, by a catapult, slingshot or similar item or by manual force, that could cause harm or damage to a person, animal or property.
    d) Fails to surrender any stones, ball bearings, pellets or similar item(s) capable of being launched as a missile by a catapult, slingshot or similar item when asked to do so by an authorised person.
  4. Fixed penalty notices.
    The council hereby provides for the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to anyone in breach of the order. Under such an FPN, the fine will be £100 and failure to pay will entitle the Council to prosecute the person/s in breach.

With regard to part 3 of the Order and under section 67 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and person who, without reasonable excuse, commits an offence, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, which is a maximum of £1,000.

It is intended that "The Wiltshire Council (Public Spaces Protection Order) (No.1) 2022" will be reviewed by Wiltshire Council before the expiry of three years from the date on which the Order came into operation. The review will consider whether an extension or variation of the Order is appropriate.

WILTSHIRE COUNCIL PUBLIC SPACES PROTECTION ORDER (NO.1) 2022

THE COMMON SEAL of the WILTSHIRE COUNCIL was hereunto affixed this 31 day of August 2022

The 'restricted area' includes the parishes of Downton and Redlynch, as shown in the PSPO map (PDF, 18 MB)(opens new window).

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