Harlow Council is launching a public consultation on a sweeping package of restrictions to tackle antisocial behaviour, confront intimidation and reclaim streets and public spaces across the town.
The council is exploring some of the strongest powers available to councils through Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), backed by direct council enforcement, CCTV and fixed penalties or prosecution for breaches.
The consultation includes potential restrictions on balaclavas and other face coverings used to conceal identity during antisocial behaviour or criminal activity; e-scooters and e-bikes in pedestrianised areas; street drinking linked to antisocial behaviour; public drug use; aggressive begging; and threatening or intimidating behaviour.
Running from 10 November 2026 to 5 January 2026, the consultation will ask residents, businesses and community groups which measures they support, where problems are happening and how antisocial behaviour is affecting their lives. Residents can fill in the consultation on Let's Talk.
The proposals support the protect our communities mission within Building Harlow’s Future, with the ambition of extending stronger, targeted enforcement beyond the existing town centre arrangements.
The full range of potential measures covers:
- aggressive or persistent begging
- consumption of alcohol where linked to antisocial behaviour
- use of illegal drugs or psychoactive substances in public places
- intimidating groups causing harassment, alarm or distress
- threatening, abusive or disorderly behaviour
- public urination or defecation
- spitting in public places
- littering and interference with waste or refuse receptacles
- dog fouling
- requirements for dogs to be kept on leads in designated areas
- cycling in pedestrianised areas
- e-bikes and e-scooters in pedestrianised areas
- exclusion of dogs from children’s play areas
- antisocial use of mopeds and motorcycles
- obstruction of shop or business entrances
- amplified music causing nuisance
- smoking or vaping in children’s play areas
- lighting fires or barbecues in prohibited areas
- fireworks causing nuisance or distress
- feeding pigeons or vermin
- vehicle-related nuisance activity
- failure to control dogs in designated public spaces
- failure to remove dog waste immediately
- face coverings such as balaclavas and ski masks used to conceal identity while engaging in antisocial behaviour or criminal activity
- accessing or remaining on rooftops or restricted structures
- possession or use of catapults in designated locations
- maximum numbers of dogs walked by a single individual
- general prohibitions on loitering
If introduced, the orders would allow authorised council officers, alongside the police, to enforce the restrictions. Breaches could result in fixed penalty notices or prosecution, with a court fine of up to £1,000 on conviction.
The council would train dozens, potentially hundreds, of staff to become authorised to enforce the rules, strengthening its enforcement presence across Harlow. Its new CCTV network would support that work by helping identify incidents and gather evidence.
Announcing the proposals, Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said:
“We want to use the strongest powers available to us to reclaim our streets from antisocial behaviour. Harlow will not be a soft touch for people who intimidate residents, damage our neighbourhoods or make other people’s lives a misery.
“You should be able to walk to the shops without being threatened. Take your children to the park without encountering drug use. Enjoy your neighbourhood without dangerous motorbikes, persistent nuisance or people treating public spaces with contempt.
“We are putting a sweeping range of measures out for consultation because we want residents to help us identify exactly what needs tackling and where.
“From balaclavas used to conceal identity during antisocial behaviour to e-scooters in pedestrianised areas, aggressive begging, street drinking linked to disorder and nuisance vehicles, we want effective rules that confront the problems people experience.
“And we would enforce them. Dozens, potentially hundreds, of trained and authorised council staff, backed by our new CCTV network, able to gather evidence and take action. People breaking the rules could face fixed penalties or prosecution.
“A small minority must never be allowed to make a whole neighbourhood suffer. Our ambition is to end that misery for good.
“Now we need your views to help turn these proposals into action. Tell us what is happening, where it is happening and which measures you support.
“We’re Building Harlow’s Future. And that means taking back our streets.”
The consultation presents a range of potential measures for consideration rather than a decision to introduce every restriction. Some could apply across Harlow, while others would be limited to designated locations.
Each measure will be assessed against consultation responses, local evidence and the requirements of necessity, reasonableness and proportionality. Final proposals would return to Cabinet for a decision.
Read the potential measures and have your say before 5 January 2026.