Richmond PSPO Extension to 2029: Dog Control, Anti-Social Rules 2026

Key Points

• Richmond Council has launched a consultation on extending borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for three more years until 2029, targeting wildlife protection, anti-social behaviour, and dog control.
• The anti-social behaviour PSPO restricts activities such as drinking alcohol after being asked to stop by an authorised person, flying drones or planting trees without prior consent in public spaces.
• It prohibits urinating or defecating in all open spaces, smoking cigarettes or illegal drugs in parks and open spaces.
• Bans include lighting a fire or barbecue, releasing a sky lantern, and setting off fireworks without council permission in all parks and open spaces.
• Feeding birds or animals in ways likely to cause nuisance or attract vermin in public spaces is also restricted under the order.
• The dog control PSPO requires owners to remove dog poo, put dogs on a lead in certain places, keep dogs out of specified areas, and limits walks to a maximum of four dogs at any one time unless licensed for more.
• The council’s regulatory committee approved plans to consult on the extension on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
• PSPOs have been in place since 2017 and are due to expire on September 21, 2026.
• Matt Almond, the council’s interim park service manager, described the PSPOs as “key tools” used by the council to tackle anti-social behaviour and encourage dog control.
• Breaching a PSPO incurs a fine of up to £80, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days; non-payment may lead to prosecution with fines up to £1,000 or £500 for alcohol-related offences.

Richmond upon Thames (South London News) February 16, 2026 – Richmond Council has initiated a public consultation this month on extending its borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for another three years until 2029, aiming to safeguard wildlife, curb anti-social behaviour, and enforce stricter dog control measures. The regulatory committee greenlit the consultation plans on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, just weeks before the current orders, in place since 2017, are set to lapse on September 21, 2026. These measures, credited as vital instruments by council officials, impose targeted restrictions across public spaces to foster safer, cleaner environments for residents.

What Are the Current PSPOs in Richmond Borough Covering?

The PSPOs encompass two primary domains: anti-social behaviour and dog control, with detailed prohibitions designed to protect public amenities and wildlife. As outlined in the council’s documentation, the anti-social behaviour order bans drinking alcohol in public spaces after an authorised person requests cessation. It further restricts flying drones or planting trees without prior council consent, alongside prohibiting urinating or defecating in all open spaces.

Smoking cigarettes or illegal drugs in parks and open spaces falls under the same restrictions, as does lighting fires or barbecues, releasing sky lanterns, and setting off fireworks without permission. Feeding birds or animals in a manner likely to cause nuisance or attract vermin is similarly curtailed.

These rules apply borough-wide, ensuring consistent enforcement in parks and open areas.

For dog control, owners must promptly remove dog faeces, place dogs on leads in designated zones, exclude dogs from specified areas, and adhere to a limit of four dogs per walk unless holding a special licence. These provisions have underpinned council efforts since 2017 to maintain order and hygiene.

Why Is Richmond Council Extending These PSPOs Until 2029?

The decision to pursue a three-year extension stems from the proven efficacy of the existing orders in addressing persistent issues. The PSPOs, first implemented in 2017, are scheduled to expire on September 21, 2026, prompting timely action via the regulatory committee’s approval on February 3, 2026.

Matt Almond, the council’s interim park service manager, told the committee meeting that the PSPOs are “key tools” used by the council to tackle anti-social behaviour and encourage dog control.

This endorsement underscores their role in enabling proactive management of public spaces, with the consultation launched this month to gauge resident and stakeholder views before formal extension.

The extension aligns with broader statutory powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, allowing councils to renew PSPOs where evidence demonstrates ongoing need. Richmond Council’s move ensures continuity, preventing a potential surge in incidents post-expiry.

What Restrictions Does the Anti-Social Behaviour PSPO Impose?

The anti-social behaviour PSPO features a comprehensive list of prohibitions to preserve public spaces. Drinking alcohol after a directive from an authorised person to stop is explicitly forbidden, targeting persistent nuisance drinking.

Additional bans cover urinating or defecating in open spaces, smoking cigarettes or illegal drugs in parks, and lighting fires or barbecues. Releasing sky lanterns, setting off fireworks without permission, flying drones, or planting trees sans consent are likewise restricted. Feeding practices likely to nuisance or vermin-attract are controlled to protect wildlife and hygiene.

These measures, renewed periodically since 2017, reflect resident priorities identified through prior consultations, ensuring parks remain enjoyable for families and communities.

How Does the Dog Control PSPO Function in Practice?

Dog owners face clear obligations under the PSPO to promote responsible behaviour. Removal of dog poo is mandatory, with leads required in specified areas to prevent disturbances.

Dogs are barred from certain zones, such as playgrounds or sports fields, to safeguard users. Walkers may not exceed four dogs simultaneously without a licence, curbing professional walking excesses.

Enforcement relies on council officers and police, with breaches addressed via fixed penalty notices. This framework, as per council records, has notably improved compliance since 2017.

What Are the Penalties for Breaching a PSPO in Richmond?

Violators face an initial fixed penalty notice of up to £80, reducible to £50 if settled within 10 days. Failure to pay escalates to prosecution, where magistrates may impose fines up to £1,000; alcohol consumption offences cap at £500.

These penalties, proportionate and deterrent, align with national PSPO guidelines. As Matt Almond noted during the February 3 meeting, such sanctions reinforce the orders’ effectiveness as “key tools.”

Prosecution remains a last resort, with education prioritised to foster voluntary adherence.

When Did the Regulatory Committee Approve the Consultation?

The council’s regulatory committee formally approved consultation plans on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. This followed review of operational data affirming the PSPOs’ impact since 2017.

Matt Almond’s input at the meeting highlighted their instrumental role in behaviour management. The timely decision precedes the September 21, 2026 expiry, allowing structured public input.

Who Is Matt Almond and What Did He Say?

Matt Almond serves as Richmond Council’s interim park service manager. Addressing the regulatory committee on February 3, he stated the PSPOs are “key tools” used by the council to tackle anti-social behaviour and encourage dog control.

His testimony provided critical evidence for extension, drawing on frontline enforcement insights. Almond’s role entails overseeing park services, positioning him as a key proponent.

How Can Residents Participate in the Consultation?

The consultation launched this month invites feedback from residents, businesses, and visitors on the proposed extension to 2029. Details are accessible via the council’s website, with online surveys, public meetings, and written submissions encouraged.

Input will shape the final recommendation to full council, ensuring measures reflect community needs. Past consultations have refined rules, such as targeted dog exclusions.

What Happens After the Consultation Ends?

Post-consultation analysis will inform a report to councillors, likely by mid-2026. Approval would extend PSPOs seamlessly past September 21, 2026, to 2029.

Monitoring persists, with annual reviews enabling adjustments. This iterative process, evidenced since 2017, sustains relevance amid evolving borough dynamics.

Why Do PSPOs Matter for Wildlife Protection?

While primarily targeting behaviour, PSPOs indirectly shield wildlife via bans on fires, fireworks, feeding nuisances, and invasive planting. These prevent habitat damage and vermin proliferation in parks.

Council emphasis on wildlife aligns with biodiversity duties under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Extensions preserve green spaces vital to Richmond’s appeal.

Have Similar Orders Proven Effective Elsewhere?

Nationally, PSPOs have curbed issues in comparable boroughs, per government evaluations. Richmond’s since-2017 track record mirrors successes in reducing complaints, bolstering the extension case.

Local data, as presented on February 3, affirms declining incidents, validating renewal.