Newham Council has approved the implementation of three new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour across the borough. The orders will target street harassment, the misuse of car parks, and the misuse of fireworks.
The decision, made by the Newham Cabinet on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, aims to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life for residents. These PSPOs will provide council officers and the police with additional powers to address persistent anti-social behaviour that has a detrimental effect on the local community.
Street harassment, defined as directing threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour of a sexual nature towards another person or group in a public space, will be subject to the new order. This includes unsolicited sexualised comments, persistent questioning, non-consensual physical contact, cat-calling, and hate or abuse based on protected characteristics. Data from the Metropolitan Police shows a 17.5% increase in street harassment offences in Newham between 2024 and 2025, with 970 offences recorded.
The PSPO targeting car park misuse will apply to all council-owned or managed car parks. It aims to address issues such as vandalism, littering, intimidation, gatherings, drug use, and noise nuisance. Police data indicates a fluctuation in reported crimes in car parks, but council records show 80 ASB reports related to car parks since 2022, with criminal damage and fly-tipping being significant concerns.
The third PSPO will target the misuse of fireworks in public spaces, prohibiting their discharge in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress, with exemptions for authorised events. Police data shows a significant increase in firework-related complaints, with 666 reported in the last financial year and a consistent pattern of misuse throughout the year, not just during festive periods.
These orders, which will come into effect on May 11, 2026, and last for three years, are supported by evidence gathered through borough-wide consultations. The feedback indicated strong resident support for these measures as an additional tool to combat anti-social behaviour.
Officers will receive training on the new PSPOs, and signage will be installed in hotspot locations to inform the public of the restrictions. Failure to comply with the orders can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100, with prosecution possible for non-compliance.
