Plymouth residents, businesses and local organisations are being asked whether the city-wide alcohol-related anti-social behaviour order should continue for another three years.
Plymouth City Council has opened a consultation on the Public Spaces Protection Order, known as a PSPO, before the current order expires in October 2026. Feedback is open until 21 June 2026.
The order covers the whole city and is aimed at alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in public places. It is not targeted at any specific group or community.
What the Plymouth alcohol PSPO allows
The current PSPO gives authorised officers powers to act when alcohol is believed to be linked to anti-social behaviour in public spaces.
Under the order, officers can ask a person to stop drinking alcohol. They can also ask someone to hand over alcohol if it is believed that continued drinking may contribute to disorder or anti-social behaviour.
The measure was first introduced in 2020 and renewed in 2023. The council is now deciding whether it should be extended again when the present order runs out in October 2026.
Consultation details for residents and businesses
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area covered | All of Plymouth |
| Current expiry date | October 2026 |
| Proposed extension | A further three years |
| Feedback deadline | 21 June 2026 |
| Who can respond | Residents, businesses, partners, organisations and people who spend time in Plymouth |
The council says the consultation is intended to test how well the current Public Spaces Protection Order is working and whether people believe it remains the right tool for the city.
What the consultation is asking
People are being asked to give views on the effectiveness of the current PSPO and the level of concern about alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour in Plymouth.
The consultation also asks whether the order should be extended for a further three years. If respondents support an extension, they can give views on whether the PSPO should remain in its current format.
The responses will help inform the decision on whether to renew the order beyond October 2026.
Council says feedback will shape the next step
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety, said alcohol-related anti-social behaviour can affect residents, businesses and public spaces.
He said the order had helped the council respond to those issues, but added that it was time to take stock and listen to local experiences.
People who live, work or spend time in Plymouth can take part in the consultation until 21 June 2026.
Source: Plymouth City Council
Source check Source trail
This article was prepared from Plymouth City Council's consultation notice and checked for the key dates, area covered and powers described.
- Confirmed the consultation deadline is 21 June 2026.
- Confirmed the current PSPO is due to expire in October 2026.
- Confirmed the order applies across the whole city of Plymouth.
- Checked that the PSPO relates to alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in public spaces.
- Source
- Plymouth City Council
- Scope
- Plymouth
- Updated
- 2026-06-03 21:31
Source check
Report a trust issue
Send a clear signal to community moderation if the source, facts or context need review.
Article contextPeople & topics1#7
What do you think about this article?
Reader Ideas Newsroom
Have a sharper angle for this topic? Add it to the community idea board and let readers vote it up for editorial review.
/linkComments
8+ useful words can earn +10-60 DP; shorter replies can still publish without DP.