A Public Space Protection Order has been put in place (PSPO) on London Road, Halstead, part of the Orpington By-Pass, Badgers Mount, and the M25 Spur Road by Junction 4, to address recent anti-social behaviour.
In partnership with Kent Police, the Metropolitan Police and Bromley Council, we consulted with residents after a number of complaints about car meets, racing and general motor vehicle nuisance.
When a Public Space Protection Order is in place, it gives the Police and the Council the power to issue on-the-spot warnings, or a fixed penalty notice for anti-social behaviour.
It also prohibits behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm, and distress. This means those causing trouble cannot return to the area within 24 hours.
The behaviour prohibited in this area is as follows:
- Sounding horns or playing loud music
- Revving engines
- Causing danger to other road users (including pedestrians)
- Causing damage or risk of damage to property
- Exceeding the permitted speed limit or racing
- Performing stunts (including but not limited to performing doughnuts, skidding, handbrake turns, wheel spinning)
- Being verbally abusive, swearing, or intimidating members of the public.
- Causing obstruction of a public highway or publicly accessible place (whether by moving or stationary vehicles or otherwise)
- Parking on a footway
- Sudden and harsh acceleration and braking
- Engaging in, promoting, encouraging, or assisting in the use of mechanically propelled vehicle which causes or is likely to cause danger to the public in or on London Road, Halstead, Orpington bypass Badgers Mount and the M25 Spur Road
- Promoting, organising, or publicising the occurrence of Car Cruising to take place in or on London Road, Halstead, Orpington Bypass Badgers Mount and the M25 Spur Road (including but not limited to the use of email, the internet, social media, or any publication or broadcast medium); or
- Attending any meeting in or on a London Road, Halstead, Orpington Bypass Badgers Mount and the M25 Spur Road either as a mechanically propelled vehicle owner, driver, passenger or spectator where a reasonable person would consider that Car Cruising was taking place or was likely to take place.
The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the area was approved by Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet on 15 March and the order can last for up to three years.
If you see anyone engaging in these behaviours, please report it to Kent Police.