Street Harassment Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)
Preventing street harassment in Hammersmith & Fulham
Re-opened consultation for Street Harassment PSPO
Thank you to all who have responded to our consultation on introducing a PSPO to tackle street harassment. Responses have been useful in shaping our approach.
Taking onboard feedback, we have revised the Draft Order as to make the PSPO more detailed to the issue we are addressing.
We have now opened a second round of consultation on the revised wording.
You can view the revised Draft Order on the Have your Say landing page and share your thoughts below.
How can a PSPO help?
We take a zero-tolerance approach against all forms of harassment and are taking urgent steps to create a safe and equal place for our residents.
PSPOs are used to help keep our public spaces safe and free from anti-social behaviour. This PSPO would help H&F’s Law Enforcement Team (LET) and other authorised council staff intervene when witnessing any form of harassment in the public realm.
The new prohibition to be consulted on is:
No person shall direct verbal or physical attention, including attention of a sexual nature, at or towards a person or group of persons where that attention is likely to cause a person or persons present harassment, alarm or distress or is likely to undermine their sense of safety in a public place.
Such attention includes – but is not limited to:
- Unsolicited sexualised or obscene comments, propositions or gestures
- Following someone
- Sexist, homophobic or transphobic slurs
- Persistent questioning
- Flashing or exposing intimate body parts
- Non-consensual physical contact
- Whistling or cat-calling.
How would the PSPO be enforced?
If a person fails to comply with the requirements of the order following a warning from an authorised council or police officer, they will be issued with £100 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) and taken to court if the fine is not paid within the specified timeframe. A person guilty of an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine unless:
- They have the consent from the owner, occupier or person in charge of the land, not to comply with the order.
- They have a reasonable excuse for failing to comply
If we introduce a PSPO the prohibitions will last for three years. After three years we will consult with residents again and decide whether or not to renew the order.
Share your views
We want to hear from you. To have your say, please complete the survey linked below. This consultation will close on 18 March 2024.
For an easy read version of the survey, please contact us at csu@lbhf.gov.uk.
