Public Space Protection Orders PSPOs

PSPOs help make public spaces safer and more welcoming for everyone.

They tackle problems that affect the local community's quality of life. They control how certain areas can be used. And they give the Council and police extra powers to deal with anti-social behaviour.

There are five PSPOs set up in the Wakefield district for:

• Wakefield City Centre - covers a range of anti-social behaviours - view the map

• Pontefract Town Centre - covers street drinking and drug use - view the map

• Castleford Town Centre - covers street drinking, and urinating and defecating in alleyways - view the map

• Tuscany Way, Normanton - covers vehicle and anti-social behaviour nuisance.

• Wakefield District - covers vehicle and anti-social behaviour nuisance.

Anyone who breaks the terms of a PSPO can be fined.

The PSPOs we have in place have proved to be successful in tackling anti-social behaviour.

Latest updates to PSPOs

Have your say on renewing the Pontefract Public Space Protection Order

Have your say on the extension of the PSPO for Pontefract.

We are proposing to apply the Order for a further three years. This will mean we can introduce new measures and keep Pontefract safe, welcoming and enjoyable for all.

If you live, work or visit Pontefract regularly, we’d love to hear your views.

Consultation for extension of Castleford Public Space Protection Order

The Castleford PSPO expires in November 2026. We are currently asking for views on whether to:

• renew the PSPO for another three years

• extend the area of the town centre that it covers

• include powers to tackle a wider range of nuisance behaviours

We would like to hear your thoughts, especially if you live or work in Castleford. Or visit it regularly.

Wakefield city centre Public Spaces Protection Order

On 18 November 2025, Cabinet agreed to renew the Wakefield city centre PSPO for a further three years. 

The order will help the police and the council tackle long-standing local anti-social behaviour. Including drinking alcohol, using drugs and urinating in the city centre.

The PSPO came into force on 15 December 2025.

Car cruising Public Spaces Protection Order

A district-wide PSPO for car cruising came into force on 1 December 2025.

The order gives the Council and West Yorkshire Police extra powers to tackle the anti-social use of vehicles across the district. This includes racing vehicles, performing stunts and revving engines.