This is your chance to have your say on new rules around what behaviours are allowed in Richmond parks and other public spaces across the town.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) aim to restrict anti-social activities such as public urination.

They also define how many dogs a person can walk at a single time (four under the proposed new rules, unless they have a licence allowing them to walk up to six dogs).

Richmond Council introduced two protection orders in October 2017 and they are in need of renewal this October.

The council said they were introduced "as a result of persistent and unreasonable problems in many of our public spaces".

Since their introduction, the council's Park Enforcement Team have issued more than 700 advisories or warnings as well as 44 Fixed Penalty Notices.

A consultation on the proposed new orders has now opened and residents have until August 22 to give their views.

A deterrent for misbehaviour

Cllr Julia Neden-Watts is chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee on Richmond Council.

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She said: "Our aim is to keep our parks and open spaces as welcoming as possible for all residents to enjoy.

"Most people are conscientious; however, a small minority are not, and this can spoil the enjoyment of our open spaces and parks for everyone else.

"Public Space Protection Orders act as a deterrent to anyone tempted to misbehave.

"Our hardworking Park Guard team have found the PSPO invaluable over the past few months in educating the small minority who flout the rules.

"The PSPO also gives powers to issue those who don't heed their advice with a fine."

New proposed PSPOs

The council has drafted two proposed Public Space Protection Orders – one covering anti-social behaviour and another about dog control.

There are 26 rules in the anti-social behaviour PSPO and six in the dog control one.

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