New rules which will see fines for begging or street drinking rolled out in several Kirklees towns
Public Space Protection Orders have been introduced in Batley, Dewsbury, Holmfirth, Huddersfield and Ravensthorpe
Last updated 12th Sep 2025
Kirklees Council has now brought in measures that ban begging, bird feeding, and loitering in several town centres.
Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) give councils a wide range of flexible powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and other detrimental activities in particular areas. A breach can lead to a fine or even prosecution.
Earlier this year, a full review of Kirklees’ PSPOs was carried out, and it was agreed that new PSPOs would be brought in and others amended to tackle “emerging” issues and the “changing nature” of anti-social behaviour. The council says that the reviewed and updated PSPOs were introduced last month.
There were already PSPOs in place to address: dog fouling; the control of fires and barbecues; control of fireworks, sky lanterns and balloons; means of picking up after your dog; dogs on lead on request, dogs to be on leads at all times; dog exclusion areas; public urination and defecation; and street drinking.
A single new PSPO for Batley, Dewsbury, Holmfirth, Huddersfield and Ravensthorpe has been rolled out to tackle street drinking, bird feeding, and loitering, nuisance behaviour and temporary structures such as tents being placed in town centres. Some of these measures extend to Slaithwaite and Marsden.
The existing PSPOs relating to dogs have been merged into one. On top of this, a borough-wide PSPO is in effect to address the issue of nuisance vehicles, with the anti-social use of motorbikes of particular concern.
Councillor Amanda Pinnock, Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment, said: “As a council we are committed to making sure our public spaces are safe and pleasant for everyone to enjoy. Public Space Protection Orders help us tackle behaviours that can ruin the experience of visiting our towns and public spaces.
“They help us to keep our town centres clean from litter and dog foul. PSPO’s can also contribute to areas feeling safer by restricting street drinking and allowing us to remove individuals that are presenting intimidating behaviour such as catcalling or loitering with intent.
“They also help protect our wildlife by preventing the risks of fire caused by unauthorised BBQs or sky lanterns.
“Feedback from the consultation was overwhelmingly in support of these new orders and I would like to thank everyone that took the time to have their say in the consultation. We will continue to work with our partners over at West Yorkshire Police and Huddersfield Bid, among others, to ensure these new PSPOs are effective in helping our local communities to thrive.”
A full list of PSPOs by area can be found here: www.kirklees.gov.uk/pspo