Map of Exmouth

Fines for anti-social behaviour, like possessing alcohol and distressing behaviour, can now be handed out across a wider area in Exmouth.

Fines for anti-social behaviour, like possessing alcohol and distressing behaviour, can now be handed out across a wider area in Exmouth.

East Devon District Council have recently approved changes to the Exmouth Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) 2021.

PSPOs are tools under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 which are intended to deal with particular nuisances or problems affecting a specified area that are detrimental to the local community’s way of life. 

This particular order addresses the following anti-social behaviour: 

  • Possessing intoxicating substance including alcohol
  • Urination and defecation within a street or public place
  • Aggressive requests for money
  • Intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress
  • Dispersal of groups causing Intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress
  • A person observed not to be complying with the PSPO is liable to receive a fixed penalty notice of £80 by some council officers and police officers.
  • The alternative is to take enforcement action in the Magistrates’ Court. 

This is not an alcohol ban for Exmouth the police will be proportionate and sensitive in its delivery seizing alcohol where it is linked to anti-social behaviour or is at a result of that.

It will be used at officers’ discretion of when to engage, when to educate, when to encourage and when there is a need to enforce.

The PSPO will be reviewed again in May 2023.

Councillor Nick Hookway, East Devon District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Sport, Leisure and Tourism said:

Working in conjunction with the police the enlarged Public Space Protection Order for Exmouth Seafront and Exe Estuary and surrounding areas has now been activated by EDDC.

Residents and visitors can be reassured that in the event of a range of anti-social behaviours, police officers have the power to deal with offenders swiftly and efficiently by confiscating alcohol, moving persons away from the scene and/or imposing an £80 fine as appropriate.

EDDC thanks the police for their cooperation in this matter.