The Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have worked closely together to deliver the PSPO. They have used it alongside a range of other tools to tackle anti-social behaviour.
When the PSPO was introduced, officers focused on raising awareness. They engage with people behaving anti-socially and offer advice and support before taking enforcement action where possible.
Below is a summary of each current PSPO rule (referred to as an “article”), how it has been used, and evidence of ongoing issues. Each section ends with a recommendation for the proposed 2026–2029 PSPO.
Article 1: Consumption of alcohol
This rule allows officers to require someone to stop drinking alcohol or hand it over if asked by a police officer or authorised council officer.
In practice, this has helped prevent alcohol related anti-social behaviour and crime.Most people comply when asked, meaning formal enforcement is often not needed.
- 356 enforcement actions between 14 July 2023 and 31 March 2026
- Many additional informal warnings (not recorded in the figures)
- 215 reported incidents linked to drinking in public spaces
- Often linked with other issues such as rowdy behaviour and begging
Recommendation: Keep this rule in the 2026-2029 PSPO to help prevent alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
Article 2: Discarding hypodermic needles or syringes
This rule prohibits people from leaving needles or syringes in public places.
This has not been enforced, as:
- Officers have not been able to gather enough evidence
- More effective approaches are available to support people who use needles
Recommendation: Remove this rule from the 2026–2029 PSPO, as there is no evidence it is effective.
Article 3: Urination or defecation
This rule bans urinating or defecating in public places, except in proper toilet facilities.
This remains a concern for the public:
- 193 reported incidents to GMP (for all the relevant articles) between July 2023 and March 2026
- Many reports relate to waste being found rather than the act being witnessed
- 14 enforcement actions during this period
The rule has been used less than expected, but there is scope to increase enforcement.
Recommendation: Keep this rule in the 2026–2029 PSPO.
Article 4: Health and safety risks – obstruction
This rule allows officers to ask someone to move if they are causing a risk by:
- blocking entrances or exits
- blocking stairways
- preventing street cleaning
- blocking pedestrian or vehicle access
This is a significant issue:
- 514 incidents reported
- 497 enforcement actions
Officers often resolve issues through advice and warnings.
Recommendation: Keep this rule, as obstruction is a key concern and the rule is actively used.
Article 5: Health and safety risks – tents and structures
This rule requires people to move if tents or temporary structures:
- attract vermin, or
- create health or safety risks
This remains a concern:
- 252 reported incidents linked to tents
- 49 enforcement actions
Recommendation: Keep this rule in the 2026–2029 PSPO.
Article 6: Consuming nitrous oxide
This rule banned the use of nitrous oxide in a way that causes harm or nuisance.
It has not been enforced because:
- The law changed in 2023
- Nitrous oxide is now illegal to possess for misuse under national legislation
Recommendation: Remove this rule, as it is now covered by criminal law.
Article 7: Discarding nitrous oxide canisters
This rule banned dropping nitrous oxide canisters in public places.
It has not been used due to the same legal changes.
Recommendation: Remove this rule from the 2026–2029 PSPO.
Article 8: Providing information when asked
This rule requires a person to give their:
- name
- address
- date of birth
if an authorised officer reasonably believes they have broken a PSPO rule.
This is important for enforcement, as it allows officers to take appropriate action.
Recommendation: Keep this rule in the 2026–2029 PSPO.
Article 9: Commercial waste storage
This rule prevents businesses from leaving waste in public areas unless it is:
- in secure containers, or
- in approved waste sacks
This has been effective:
- 285 enforcement actions
Recommendation: Keep this rule, as it helps manage waste issues.
Article 10: Commercial waste collection
This rule prevents waste being left out more than 2 hours before collection time.
- 9 enforcement actions
Although used less often, it provides an additional enforcement option.
Recommendation: Keep this rule in the 2026–2029 PSPO.
Article 11: Commercial waste clearance
This rule requires businesses to clean up any waste that escapes when put out for collection, if asked by an officer.
- 39 enforcement actions
Recommendation: Keep this rule, as it supports effective waste management.
Area where waste rules apply
The PSPO has been a useful tool for managing waste in the city centre. Waste remains an ongoing concern for residents and businesses.
Currently, waste rules apply only to a smaller part of the city centre, but issues are reported across a wider area (see map below).
Recommendation: Extend the waste rules to cover the whole city centre, including both Deansgate and Piccadilly wards.