People breaking rules aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour, restricting drones and protecting wildlife, could be fined £100 for the first time in Richmond borough.

Richmond Council is moving ahead with extending its borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) tackling antisocial behaviour and dog control issues until 2029.

The Council is also planning to raise the fine for a person caught breaching a PSPO from £80 to £100, slashed to £75 if paid in 10 days. They may be prosecuted if they do not pay, which can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 or £500 if the offence concerns alcohol consumption.

The Council's Regulatory Committee approved a three-year extension of the PSPOs on 23 June. A Full Council meeting on July 14 will make a final decision on the extension, which would come into force in September.

Multiple activities are restricted by the PSPO aimed at antisocial behaviour, including drinking alcohol after being asked to stop by an authorised person and flying drones or planting trees without prior consent in public spaces. It also prohibits urinating or defecating in all open spaces and smoking cigarettes or illegal drugs in parks and open spaces.

People are banned from lighting a fire or barbecue, releasing a sky lantern and setting off fireworks without Council permission in all parks and open spaces under the order. Feeding birds or animals in a way which is likely to cause nuisance or attract vermin in public spaces is also restricted.

The PSPO for dog control requires owners to remove dog poo, put their dogs on a lead in certain places, keep their dogs out of specified areas and only take a maximum of four dogs on a walk at any one time, unless they are licensed to walk more.

The PSPOs have been in place since 2017 and are due to expire on 21 September.

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Matt Almond, Richmond's Parks Service Manager, said consultation feedback the Council received on the extension earlier this year showed "strong support for renewing the orders, alongside clear evidence that residents continue to experience the types of antisocial behaviour and dog control issues the orders are designed to address".

Mr Almond said: "The orders remain necessary and proportionate and they play an important role in keeping our parks and open spaces safe and welcoming."

A total of 1,286 warnings were issued to people breaking the rules in Richmond from September 2023 to December 2025. The Council dished out 388 fines and made six successful prosecutions in the same period.

The PSPOs will be extended for three years from 22 September, if the Council formally approves them on 14 July.

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