Consultations and surveys Expedited Public Spaces Protection Order Consultation

This consultation closed on Friday 16 December 2022

 

What is an Expedited Public Spaces Protection Order?

Expedited Public Spaces Protection Orders (E-PSPO) are intended to protect the public from harm that some protests in the vicinity of schools, vaccination centres and NHS Test and Trace (T and T) sites cause. They are intended to help ensure that both the public using services at these sites and the staff and volunteers providing these services, can do so free from intimidation, harassment and impediment of access or provision of services.

An E-PSPO can be introduced by a local authority if in the course of a protest or demonstration in a public space within the vicinity of a school, vaccine or NHS Test and Trace/ Test, Trace, Protect site activities have or are likely to have the effect of harassing or intimidating staff or volunteers at the school or site, or persons using the services of the school or site; or impeding the provision of services by staff or volunteers at the school or site, or the access of persons seeking to use the services of the school or site.

To make an E-PSPO the effect of the activities must be or likely to be persistent or continuing in nature, unreasonable and justify the restrictions imposed by the expedited order.

An ‘order’ places restrictions and requirements on certain behaviours in an area. The order can last up to six months. The Council can extend it for another six months and must consult each time a decision is made about the order.

It will be a criminal offence not to comply with the order, and you can either get a fixed penalty notice of £100 or be prosecuted, which could lead to a fine of up to £1,000.

Why has an E-PSPO been put in place in Manchester?

On 28 October 2022 the Council made an E-PSPO for six months that applies to all public places in the city of Manchester.

In the vicinity of Covid-19 vaccination clinics in Manchester the E-PSPO prevents people from:

  • Intimidating and or harassing staff, volunteers and members of the public attending a clinic for a vaccination
  • Interfering with or hindering the delivery of the vaccination services
  • Hindering people’s access to the vaccination clinics
  • Shouting or using amplified equipment to deliver messages against Covid-19 vaccinations
  • Displaying or handing out any information or signage against the Covid-19 vaccinations

The Order allows Authorised Officers and Constables to ask someone who is suspected of breaking the Order to provide their details, to leave the area and not return for 24 hours and remove any signage.

The Order was introduced following an investigation involving the Council working together with Public Health colleagues and Greater Manchester Police.

The investigation found that the activities that are taking place include protests and demonstrations against Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccinations at vaccination clinics; people attending to be vaccinated being approached by protestors and demonstrators causing them to feel harassed and intimidated; threats to staff members; use of graphic images which have resulted in at least one person changing their mind about having the vaccine; and staff members being accused of genocide. There have been multiple incidents of protestors sharing misinformation including shouting at females that they will become sterile, unable to have children, if they have the Covid-19 vaccination.

Can an E-PSPO be challenged?

Anyone who lives in, regularly works in or visits the area can appeal a PSPO in the High Court within 6 weeks of it being made.

E - PSPO consultation

As soon as practical, after introducing an E-PSPO the Council must consult the police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, appropriate community representatives and the owners or occupiers of land in the area. We are keen to hear your views.

Please give us your views by 16 December 2022.

The full details of the E-PSPO can be found here.

Read our privacy statement.

 

After the consultation closes

All consultation responses will be carefully analysed and inform a decision whether the E-PSPO should continue or not. The outcome will be published on the Council’s website. An update will be provided to the Council’s Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee in December.

Expedited Public Spaces Protection Order Consultation Survey

We would like to hear your views regarding this decision to make an Expedited Public Spaces Protection Order.

Data Protection and Confidentiality We comply with all legislation governing the protection of personal information, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Any personal information you supply will remain strictly confidential and anonymous and will be held and used in line with the Data Protection Act 2018. We will only use your personal information for the purpose for which it has been given.

 

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