Public Spaces Protection Order (Hemel Hempstead Town Centre)

We are looking to extend the Hemel Hempstead Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in the borough of Dacorum for another three years.

We are inviting residents and interested parties to have their say on the proposed extension, which will continue to give us the ability to consistently tackle problem behaviours or activities which have a detrimental effect in the area of Hemel Hempstead Town Centre.

This is your opportunity to have your say in support of or against the extension proposals.

Why are we doing this?

Dacorum Borough Council currently operates a number of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). The purpose of these PSPOs is to control a number of issues and problem behaviours within certain places. This current PSPO is due to expire on 28 July 2025, and the Council is now considering whether to renew the PSPO, for a further three years. The current PSPO can be viewed here in the documents section.

We are inviting residents and members of the public to have their say on the proposed extension, which gives the Council (or Police) the power to tackle problem behaviours prohibited by the PSPO.

Why is a Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) required? PSPOs are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed by all free from anti-social behaviours. They are not about stopping the responsible use of public spaces - but they do provide councils with a tool to tackle persistent issues that are damaging their communities.

The vast majority access the Town Centre responsibly. However, the council continues to receive a number of complaints about certain negative behaviours or activities in the area. In response to this, the Council is launching a consultation to ask residents their opinions about a variety of related issues. The feedback from the consultation will help to shape and inform the Town Centre public spaces protection order (PSPO).

The existing prohibitions have been designed to be as simple as possible, giving clarity and outlining expectations of persons accessing the Hemel Hempstead Town Centre.

What is proposed:

It is proposed to consult on whether this order is to be extended.

How you can find out more and give your comments

Visit Public spaces protection orders (External link) for further information or contact ecp@dacorum.gov.uk (external link) if you have any questions.

What happens next?

Once the consultation ends on Wednesday, 26 March at 11.59pm, we will consider all the responses received and prepare a report.

The consultation will help us reach a decision about whether or not to extend this Order for a further three years.

The report will be published on our website.