Cabinet to consider new proposals to tackle anti-social behaviour

Cabinet members at Thanet District Council will consider a proposal to consult on a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) at a meeting on Thursday 30 April.

The aim of the order is to reduce anti-social behaviour across the district and, if approved, will last for three years. It replaces the PSPO which was agreed by Cabinet on 24 July 2025 but was not implemented due to the threat of legal challenge.

The proposed new PSPO specifically addresses alcohol-related issues, urination and defecation which have been identified as persistent challenges in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Since the summer of 2025, Kent Police and the council’s Community Safety team have reported increasing difficulties in managing these behaviours, which cause considerable detriment to the quality of life for residents and local businesses.

The proposed new measures include town-specific and district-wide restrictions designed to be both proportionate and effective:

• Margate and Ramsgate: A year-round blanket ban on the consumption of alcohol in the restricted areas identified: Margate High Street and Ramsgate High Street 
• District-wide: Prohibitions on anti-social behaviour related to alcohol, failing to surrender an alcohol container when required to do so by an authorised officer, and urinating or defecating in any public place other than a serviced public convenience.

The council has undertaken significant work to gather evidence, including witness statements, to ensure the proposed restrictions are justified and address the concerns raised by the local community.

The evidence highlights that incidents of anti-social behaviour in Broadstairs are more frequent during the summer months and holiday periods, rather than year round. As such, its inclusion within the district-wide prohibitions is deemed a proportionate and necessary response to the evidenced seasonal detriment.

Councillor Heather Keen, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:

“We understand how much our residents value having safe, clean, and welcoming public spaces. If Cabinet agrees to this proposal, it would allow us to take a crucial step toward addressing the persistent anti-social behaviour that we know can impact the daily lives of those living and working in our towns as well as the experience of our many visitors.

“Should we move forward with the consultation, we would hope to hear from a wide range of voices across the community. We believe these measures, if implemented, could provide our teams and the police with the necessary tools to keep Thanet safe. It is important that any final order is shaped by local people to ensure it effectively meets our shared goal of a better quality of life for everyone.”

Subject to Cabinet approval, a 30-day public consultation will launch in May. This will give the community the opportunity to comment on the proposals and help shape the final PSPO before it is presented to councillors for final approval.

The full report is available to view on the council’s website at thanet.gov.uk.

Additional background notes:

1. A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is a legal tool under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 that allows local authorities to place restrictions on certain behaviours in a defined area.
2. The Cabinet meeting will take place on Thursday 30 April 2026 at 7:00 pm in the Council Chamber, Cecil Street, Margate.
3. The previous PSPO agreed in July 2025 was not implemented following a threat of legal challenge. The council has since rigorously reviewed its evidence base, including witness statements and sought specialist legal advice to ensure the current proposals are robust.