Peterborough city centre is set to remain under strict public space controls for at least another three years, as councillors prepare to decide on extending and strengthening key enforcement powers aimed at tackling street drinking and anti‑social behaviour.
A report going before Cabinet on 4 March 2026 recommends extending the City Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) until 2029 and varying its conditions, alongside parallel changes to the Millfield, New England, Eastfield, and Embankment PSPO. The move follows enforcement data showing hundreds of penalties issued and consultation feedback revealing overwhelming public support.
The report states that the decision seeks approval “to vary and extend for 3 years the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for City Centre” and to vary the neighbouring order “to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).”
Why the PSPO is being extended
The City Centre PSPO, introduced in April 2023, is due to expire on 27 April 2026. Without renewal, the council and police would lose powers currently used to manage alcohol‑related incidents, disorder and behaviour considered harmful to public life.
According to the report, the council must be satisfied that extension is necessary to prevent ongoing problems. It concludes that continuing the order would provide “additional powers to utilise alongside other initiatives, policies and investments dedicated to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, improving the quality of life for communities and supporting businesses within the City Centre.
Hundreds of enforcement actions recorded
Figures included in the report show extensive use of PSPO powers since the order came into force.
Between April 2023 and October 2025, there were “a total of 658 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued for breaches of the City Centre order.”
In addition, officers issued “339” instructions to disperse individuals from the area, alongside 17 warnings.
In the most recent 12‑month period reviewed, from November 2024 to October 2025, 204 FPNs were issued. The most common offence during that time was unauthorised cycling, followed by offences including littering, spitting, public urination and anti‑social behaviour.
The report also makes clear that enforcement is applied proportionately. It states that where individuals are homeless and have no income, “FPNs are not issued in these circumstances.” Instead, officers “engage with individuals and refer and signpost them to relevant support services.”
For repeat offenders, stronger measures are used. Since April 2023, “the Safer Communities Service served Criminal Behaviour Orders on 7 individuals following prosecutions for persistent breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders.”
Police data shows ongoing ASB issues
The council’s case is supported by police figures covering the wider city centre area.
Data from Cambridgeshire Constabulary shows that “611 ASB incidents were reported within the Peterborough City Centre policing area from November 2024 to October 2025.”
National crime data also places anti‑social behaviour among the most significant issues locally. The report notes that “Anti-social behaviour is the second highest crime type for the Peterborough City Centre policing area.”
New powers on street drinking and behaviour
While the boundaries of the City Centre PSPO will remain unchanged, the council is proposing tighter and clearer conditions, particularly around alcohol and behaviour.
One key change would explicitly prohibit alcohol consumption in public spaces, with the report stating that people in the area “are prohibited to consume alcohol or be in possession of an open vessel containing alcohol, other than on licensed premises.”
Officers would also be able to act where alcohol is decanted into cups or other containers. The variation would allow officers to require individuals “to dispose of or surrender any containers in their possession that officers have a reasonable belief contains alcohol.”
Another significant change relates to anti‑social behaviour. The report proposes making it an offence where behaviour is judged by an authorised officer to be harmful, defining this as conduct that “is causing or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any individual(s).”
The report explains this would allow enforcement “without having to rely on statements from witnesses who are often reluctant due to fear of reprisals.”
Millfield and surrounding areas also affected
The council is also proposing to vary the PSPO covering Millfield, New England, Eastfield, and Embankment to mirror the City Centre rules.
The report notes that the areas are “so closely situated and experience similar issues in relation to crime and anti-social behaviour.” Aligning the rules is intended to prevent problems simply shifting from one area to another.
Under the proposals, alcohol restrictions would be extended across the entire order area, replacing the existing limited alcohol restriction zones. The same powers to require surrender of alcohol and to address anti‑social behaviour would apply.
Public consultation shows strong support
Public consultation results form a central part of the report’s justification.
An online survey received “48 responses,” with support levels consistently high. For the City Centre PSPO, “46 respondents (96%)” supported extending the order for a further three years.
Support for tougher alcohol controls was similarly strong, with 96% backing a ban on public drinking across the city centre and 94% supporting expanded powers to seize alcohol where officers have reasonable belief it is present.
For the Millfield, New England, Eastfield, and Embankment PSPO, “100% of the 48 respondents” supported prohibiting alcohol consumption in public spaces across the whole area.
Additional written responses included comments from a registered social landlord and a senior council officer, who said the PSPOs had “seen benefit in all areas, in particular making Stanley Park a more attractive park for families and children to use.”
What happens next
Cabinet members are being asked to approve the extension and variations, described in the report as the preferred option. The report warns that allowing the City Centre PSPO to expire would result in “a significantly reduced ability for Local Authority and Police officers to address anti-social behaviour within the City Centre.”
