No fines issued for 990 breaches of behaviour order

The PSPO bans behaviours such as begging and loitering in Sheffield city centre, hoping to "keep people safe"

A ban on city centre street drinking, begging and other anti-social behaviour in Sheffield was breached nearly 1,000 times in three months.

The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) imposed in April means people caught committing offences within a designated area, such as urinating publicly, using drugs or loitering, could be fined up to £100.

Sheffield City Council said early results on the order showed that supporting individuals' welfare had been the priority, as no fines had been issued despite 990 breaches by 219 people.

Tim Renshaw, CEO of the Archer Project homeless charity, said it was important that people who were homeless and affected by the order were offered meaningful support.

"People within street homeless communities often have a set of multiple barriers to address," he said.

"Maintaining long-term support is important if we are going to see people's lives change."

The council said that in 350 cases, the individual was offered advice or directed to support and welfare services. Drugs or alcohol were confiscated 99 times.

More than 30 individuals were referred to the "ASB harm reduction enforcement pathway meeting", where multiple agencies meet monthly to focus on people with complex needs who are repeatedly breaching the order.

The order covers the whole of the city centre from Shalesmoor, out to Park Hill, down to London Road and Ecclesall Road and over to Upperthorpe and Walkley

Mr Renshaw added: "I've spoken to people who felt they have been approached when they have been sat on the grass drinking and other people haven't.

"But the larger picture was that anti-social behaviour in the city centre was problematic, and the PSPO is helping to address that."

Sixty-two of the 219 people who breached the order received notices of intended action, which the council said "emphasised a preventative approach", and showed officers had "prioritised offering support" rather than issuing fines.

Kurtis Crossthorn, chair of communities at the council, said: "Hopefully in time we will see these behaviours reduced and people feeling safer.

"The PSPO is there to keep people safe. It will only be enforced if behaviour is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others.

"It is great to see that officers are using their powers to offer support and intervention to those who need it."

A report to Sheffield City Council in 2024 suggested the PSPO was needed due to "continuous and unreasonable" anti-social behaviour in parts of the city centre.

Just over two thirds of people surveyed and 67 out of 77 organisations supported it being introduced.

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