Chesterfield residents and businesses are being asked for their views on plans to extend the town centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) – a move designed to give the council and police stronger powers to tackle anti‑social behaviour (ASB) along Chatsworth Road and into Brampton.
The current PSPO has already played a key role in reducing ASB and improving safety in the town centre. However, there are reports that unwanted behaviour is shifting just beyond the existing boundary, prompting Chesterfield Borough Council to propose widening the protected area.
With the night‑time economy growing along Chatsworth Road and into Brampton, increased footfall has made these areas more attractive for begging and other nuisance behaviour.
Extending the PSPO would allow the council and police to take consistent, preventative action across a wider area – helping to protect residents, support local businesses, and maintain a welcoming environment for visitors.
The proposed extension of the order will target the following behaviours in the designated areas:
- Ban behaviour that causes nuisance, alarm, or distress to another person
- Ban loitering around cash machines, shopping centre entrances, shop entrances, car park ticket machines and payment machines to beg for money
- Ban putting up or using a tent or other temporary structure without the landowner’s permission
- Ban leaving any personal belongings unattended
- Enable the police or other authorised enforcement officers to make anyone found drinking alcohol, on the streets within the town centre, hand over open or unopened alcohol tins or bottles
- Ban urinating or defecating in public outside of a public toilet
Councillor Steve Lismore, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Chesterfield is a very safe place to live, socialise and visit, and while some anti-social behaviour and disorder can occasionally arise – as it does in towns and cities across the country – we are committed to ensuring that Chesterfield remains safe, welcoming and fun for everyone, and the PSPOs help us to achieve this.
“Since we launched the town centre PSPO, it’s had a positive impact and is helping to reduce ASB in the town centre. However, as we receive reports of unwanted behaviours spreading to surrounding areas, we are proposing to extend the PSPO boundary and enforce the same rules in the wider area.
“I would encourage you to take a look at the proposed extension and share your views.”
Inspector Josh Carter of the Chesterfield Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “We know that anti-social behaviour has a huge impact on our communities and are committed to working with partners to tackle the root causes.
“In recent months we have worked closely with the council on a number of initiatives which has included working with rough sleepers, and tackling begging and general nuisance in Chesterfield town centre where there is an existing PSPO.
“There has already been a reduction in problematic behaviour in the town centre because of this work.
“However, we understand that there is still much more to do and have worked in consultation with the council to gather the evidence needed to extend the PSPO and provide the same powers to help protect businesses and residents in the new proposed areas.
“Targeting anti-social behaviour is not something police can do alone. This requires a partnership approach involving a multitude of agencies and we will continue to ensure we are consulting with stakeholders to ensure that Chesterfield remains a safe and welcoming place to live, work and visit.”
Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) are legal documents that allow local councils to restrict activities in public spaces where they could have a harmful effect on other people.
They are designed to ensure the law-abiding majority of people can use and enjoy public spaces safe from anti-social behaviour, by imposing conditions on the use of those areas that apply to everyone.
The consultation is open until Tuesday 17 February 2026.
People can find out more about the PSPO and take part in the consultation at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/pspo-consultation, or by sending comments in writing to Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership, Town Hall, Rose Hill, Chesterfield S40 1LP.
