Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities have used Public Space Protection Order (PSPOs) to address issues relating to rough sleeping since the enactment of Chapter 2 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014; and what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the use of PSPOs to address issues related to rough sleeping.

We do not collect national level data on the use of Public Space Protection Orders by local authorities in relation to anti-social behaviour associated with rough sleeping.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are designed to deal with anti-social behaviour in public places where this is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life in our communities, and not to criminalise rough sleeping. It is right that local authorities, who know their area best, should have the powers they need to solve the anti-social behaviour problems they experience locally. The right safeguards are in place to ensure that PSPOs are used appropriately – councils must consult with the police and relevant community representatives before making the order and publish the draft order before it is made.