The authority is proposing a Public Space Protection Order to curb anti-social behaviour, targeting groups and face coverings, following reports of violent incidents involving teenagers in the city centre.
Liverpool Council is set to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in response to a significant rise in reports of antisocial and violent behavior involving teenagers in the city centre. According to the council, members of the public have reported persistent groups of young people engaging in criminal activity, including theft, public order offenses, and violent crimes, since November 2024. These reports suggest that this behavior has created a sense of fear among residents and visitors, negatively impacting the quality of life for those using the city centre.
The proposed PSPO, which will be considered under Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, aims to address these concerns by granting authorities additional powers to manage public spaces. The order is intended to cover specific areas, including City Centre North, City Centre South, Brownlow Hill, and Waterfront South. If approved, the measure would prohibit gatherings of more than six people if their behavior is likely to cause alarm or distress to others. Furthermore, the order would restrict the use of face coverings, with exceptions permitted for medical or cultural reasons.
Under the new regulations, activities such as swearing, verbal abuse, threatening gestures, or damaging property would be punishable if deemed to cause harassment, alarm, or distress. Law enforcement officers and constables would be empowered to issue warning letters and fixed penalty notices to individuals found in breach of the order. The council has emphasized that these measures are designed to safeguard residents, businesses, and the young people themselves. A decision on the implementation of the order is expected at the committee meeting scheduled for next Thursday.
