New powers to fine people for street harassment, anti-social behaviour in car parks and misuse of fireworks have been approved by Newham Council.
Council leaders agreed to make three new public space protection orders (PSPOs) this week. The orders give council enforcement officers the power to issue on-the-spot fines of up to £100.
Cllr Amar Virdee, deputy mayor and cabinet member for community safety (Labour party), said: “It’s essential that we use all the tools at our disposal to make our town centres, streets and open spaces safer and more welcome.”
Plans approved by council leaders say street harrassment, anti-social behaviour in car parks, and misuse of fireworks “emerged consistently” in analysis of crime and antisocial behaviour.
They say a consultation of residents “repeatedly highlighted feelings of unsafety in public spaces, with specific concerns around harassment of women and girls, loitering and drug-related activity in car parks, and the use of fireworks to intimidate or cause disturbance in residential areas”.
The council says that street harassment has been reported in every ward in the borough since 2024.
Plaistow South, Canning Town North, Plaistow North, Custom House and Forest Gate South are “hotspots”, according to the Town Hall.
The council also said results of a recent public safety survey showed people felt particular concern about harassment in Stratford town centre, and High Street North in East Ham.
The new PSPO, which covers the whole borough, prohibits “threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour of a sexual nature towards another person or group where such behaviour is likely to undermine their sense of safety in a public space”.
It adds that such behaviour includes, but is not limited to:
Unsolicited sexualised or obscene comments, propositions or gestures;
Persistent questioning or following someone;
Non-consensual physical contact, cat-calling and inappropriate whistling;
Hate and abuse based on someone’s protected characteristics such as race, religion, gender, sex, and sexual orientation.
Similarly, the public space protection order covering “misuse of car parks” prohibits “any form of anti-social behaviour within identified car parks across the borough that is likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress”.
The council says evidence shows “ongoing issues” in car parks include “vandalism, criminal damage, intimidation, gatherings, drug use, noise nuisance, and misuse of parking spaces”.
The car parks covered by the public space protection order are Madge Gill Way, Market Place, Queens Market, Selson Road, Shaftesbury Road, Stratford multi-storey, Stratford Town Hall and Will Thorne Pavilion.
Lastly, on the “misuse of fireworks” the PSPO says: “No person/s shall discharge or throw a firework in a public place in a manner likely to cause another harassment, alarm, or distress (with the exemption of council and other authorised events).”
The council says fireworks-related complaints have been increasing year-on-year. It says complaints peak between October and December but occur “consistently throughout the year”.
Plans approved by council leaders say the new order will give its enforcement officers “the legal authority to intervene immediately, without needing to rely on higher legal thresholds or lengthy evidential processes”.
However they say the PSPO “is not designed to restrict the respectful use of fireworks as part of celebrations or cultural activities”.
Proposals for the new PSPOs say they allow enforcement officers “to respond more effectively and consistently” to anti-social behaviour.
Enforcement officers and police will be able to issue fixed penalty notices of £100, reduced to £80 if paid within ten days. Failure to pay the fine will result in prosecution, with a maximum fine of £1,000.
Leading councillors approved the public space protection orders at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday 17 March. They are set to come into force on Sunday 10 May.
