Woodchurch Public Spaces Protection Order Extension- Hoole Road

Wirral Council is asking for people’s views on the proposed extension of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) currently in place on Hoole Road, Woodchurch.

PSPOs are orders that can be introduced by local councils through the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, to deter individuals or groups engaging in anti-social behaviour (ASB). By dealing with a particular nuisance or problem in a specific area that’s considered damaging to the local community, PSPOs help to protect the area that they are introduced in and the people that live, visit and work there.

The PSPO in Hoole Road was implemented to address ASB trends which included groups, individuals covering their faces to hide their identities and reckless use of pedal cycles, E-bikes and scooters on pavements outside Hoole Road shops. This behaviour had been reported as intimidating and a nuisance to visitors, residents and workers in the area.

Since the introduction of the PSPO in December 2022, evidence gathered demonstrates that the PSPO has been effective in reducing ASB in the Hoole Road area. In the period May 2021 – May 2022 there were 178 reported incidents of ASB to Police. In the period July 2024 – June 2025 there were 36 reported incidents of ASB to Police.

Wirral Council is proposing the extension of the existing PSPO on Hoole Road with the same conditions and mapped area for a further 3 years to maintain the reduction in complaints and deter anti-social behaviour from taking place.

In the past 3 years the order has been in place, 44 Fixed Penalty Notices and Warning Letters have been issued for breaching the conditions set out in the order.

The map below shows the boundary area of the PSPO (purple) and the paved area adjacent to the shops on Hoole Road (yellow).


In summary, the proposed PSPO would seek to prohibit the following activities and have the following conditions:

• No person shall drink or attempt to drink alcohol in any public space within the restricted area after being instructed not to do so by a Police Officer or Authorised Officer. If the Officer reasonably believes that a person is in possession of alcohol and intends to consume it, the officer may require it to be surrendered.

• No person shall drink or attempt to drink, inhale, inject or otherwise be in possession of any intoxicating substances or “legal highs” within the Restricted Area. If a Police Officer or Authorised Officer reasonably believes that a person is in possession of such a substance, the officer may require that it’s surrendered.

• Between the hours of 1500 and 2200 hours each day. Any person within any open public space in the restricted area who is in a gathering of 2 or more persons must leave the Restricted Area when required to do so by a Police Officer or an Authorised Officer if such officer reasonably believes that any person who is part of the gathering is engaging or is intending to engage in behaviour that is likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress to any other person within the Restricted Area.

• No person shall wear anything in any open public space within the Restricted Area which covers any part of that person’s face. This does not include face coverings worn for religious reasons or for health reasons relating to an existing medical condition or vulnerability or required by law.

• No person shall ride a bicycle, scooter or other wheeled vehicle on the paved area adjacent to the shops on Hoole Road, shaded yellow on the map, within the Restricted Area at any time. This prohibition doesn’t apply to any person who requires the use of such a vehicle to address any mobility issues.

Any individuals found breaching the terms of the PSPO would be liable to a fine or prosecution not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1,000). Alternatively, authorised officers can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (£100) if appropriate.

Please take the survey below to tell us what you think about the proposed extension of the Hoole Road Public Spaces Protection Order. The results of the survey will help shape decisions around the possible extension of this PSPO.

This consultation will last for 2 weeks, closing on Monday 8th December 2025. There will be drop in surgery to discuss the proposal at the Carr Bridge Centre, Carr Bridge Rd, Birkenhead, Wirral CH49 8EU on Monday 1st December 2025 from 10am – 12pm. The decision on extending the PSPO for the Hoole Road area will take place following the feedback gathered during this consultation.

The survey is now closed

Wirral Council is asking for people’s views on the proposed extension of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) currently in place on Hoole Road, Woodchurch.

PSPOs are orders that can be introduced by local councils through the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, to deter individuals or groups engaging in anti-social behaviour (ASB). By dealing with a particular nuisance or problem in a specific area that’s considered damaging to the local community, PSPOs help to protect the area that they are introduced in and the people that live, visit and work there.

The PSPO in Hoole Road was implemented to address ASB trends which included groups, individuals covering their faces to hide their identities and reckless use of pedal cycles, E-bikes and scooters on pavements outside Hoole Road shops. This behaviour had been reported as intimidating and a nuisance to visitors, residents and workers in the area.

Since the introduction of the PSPO in December 2022, evidence gathered demonstrates that the PSPO has been effective in reducing ASB in the Hoole Road area. In the period May 2021 – May 2022 there were 178 reported incidents of ASB to Police. In the period July 2024 – June 2025 there were 36 reported incidents of ASB to Police.

Wirral Council is proposing the extension of the existing PSPO on Hoole Road with the same conditions and mapped area for a further 3 years to maintain the reduction in complaints and deter anti-social behaviour from taking place.

In the past 3 years the order has been in place, 44 Fixed Penalty Notices and Warning Letters have been issued for breaching the conditions set out in the order.

The map below shows the boundary area of the PSPO (purple) and the paved area adjacent to the shops on Hoole Road (yellow).


In summary, the proposed PSPO would seek to prohibit the following activities and have the following conditions:

• No person shall drink or attempt to drink alcohol in any public space within the restricted area after being instructed not to do so by a Police Officer or Authorised Officer. If the Officer reasonably believes that a person is in possession of alcohol and intends to consume it, the officer may require it to be surrendered.

• No person shall drink or attempt to drink, inhale, inject or otherwise be in possession of any intoxicating substances or “legal highs” within the Restricted Area. If a Police Officer or Authorised Officer reasonably believes that a person is in possession of such a substance, the officer may require that it’s surrendered.

• Between the hours of 1500 and 2200 hours each day. Any person within any open public space in the restricted area who is in a gathering of 2 or more persons must leave the Restricted Area when required to do so by a Police Officer or an Authorised Officer if such officer reasonably believes that any person who is part of the gathering is engaging or is intending to engage in behaviour that is likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress to any other person within the Restricted Area.

• No person shall wear anything in any open public space within the Restricted Area which covers any part of that person’s face. This does not include face coverings worn for religious reasons or for health reasons relating to an existing medical condition or vulnerability or required by law.

• No person shall ride a bicycle, scooter or other wheeled vehicle on the paved area adjacent to the shops on Hoole Road, shaded yellow on the map, within the Restricted Area at any time. This prohibition doesn’t apply to any person who requires the use of such a vehicle to address any mobility issues.

Any individuals found breaching the terms of the PSPO would be liable to a fine or prosecution not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1,000). Alternatively, authorised officers can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (£100) if appropriate.

Please take the survey below to tell us what you think about the proposed extension of the Hoole Road Public Spaces Protection Order. The results of the survey will help shape decisions around the possible extension of this PSPO.

This consultation will last for 2 weeks, closing on Monday 8th December 2025. There will be drop in surgery to discuss the proposal at the Carr Bridge Centre, Carr Bridge Rd, Birkenhead, Wirral CH49 8EU on Monday 1st December 2025 from 10am – 12pm. The decision on extending the PSPO for the Hoole Road area will take place following the feedback gathered during this consultation.

The survey is now closed

Page last updated: 08 Dec 2025, 09:25 AM