People across Plymouth have until 21 June 2026 to comment on whether a city-wide alcohol-related anti-social behaviour order should remain in place for another three years.
Plymouth City Council is consulting on the future of the Public Spaces Protection Order, known as a PSPO, before the current order expires in October 2026. The measure applies across the whole city and is used to help deal with alcohol-related disorder in public spaces.
The consultation is open to residents, businesses, partner agencies, organisations and anyone who lives, works or spends time in Plymouth.
What the alcohol PSPO allows officers to do
The current Public Spaces Protection Order was first introduced in 2020 and renewed in 2023. It gives authorised officers powers to intervene where drinking alcohol in a public place is believed to be linked to anti-social behaviour.
That can include asking a person to stop drinking alcohol or to surrender alcohol if officers believe it may contribute to disorder. The order is not a blanket ban on drinking in public, and the council says it is not aimed at any specific group or community.
Its purpose is to give officers a tool to respond where alcohol-related behaviour is affecting residents, businesses or shared public spaces.
What the consultation is asking
The council is asking for views on whether the PSPO is working and whether it should continue after October 2026.
| Detail | Current position |
|---|---|
| Area covered | The whole of Plymouth |
| Current expiry | October 2026 |
| Proposed extension | A further three years |
| Feedback deadline | 21 June 2026 |
People are being asked how effective they think the current order has been, how much alcohol-related crime or anti-social behaviour affects them, and whether they believe the same city-wide format should remain in place.
Responses will be used to help decide whether the order should be renewed, changed or allowed to lapse.
Who can have a say
The consultation is not limited to homeowners or residents in a single neighbourhood. Plymouth City Council is seeking feedback from people and organisations with experience of public spaces across the city.
That includes residents who have concerns about disorder near their homes, businesses affected by incidents in shopping or nightlife areas, community groups, public-sector partners and people who regularly visit or work in Plymouth.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety, said alcohol-related anti-social behaviour can affect daily life, from how safe residents feel in their neighbourhoods to whether public spaces feel welcoming.
He said the order had helped the council respond to those issues, but that it was time to review people’s experiences before deciding what happens next.
Feedback closes on 21 June
The council says feedback gathered through the consultation will inform the decision on whether to renew the Public Spaces Protection Order beyond October 2026.
People who want their views considered must respond by 21 June 2026.
Source: Plymouth City Council
Source check Source trail
This article is based on Plymouth City Council’s consultation notice about the city-wide alcohol-related Public Spaces Protection Order.
- Confirmed the consultation deadline as 21 June 2026.
- Confirmed the current PSPO expires in October 2026.
- Checked that the order applies across the whole of Plymouth.
- Checked that the proposed renewal period is three years.
- Source
- Plymouth City Council
- Scope
- Plymouth
- Updated
- 2026-06-03 21:28
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