Northampton's anti-social behaviour order has been renewed for three years. The new face covering rule now applies only when it is worn to hide identity while causing harm.
The order that bans street drinking, drug use and spitting across Northampton has been renewed for another three years. West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet approved the extension of the Northampton Public Spaces Protection Order on Tuesday 10 November. The current order would otherwise have run out in December.
Three new prohibitions are on the way too. Cabinet handed the final wording of those to the council’s Director of Housing and Communities. The decision notice gives the director power “to fully consider and agree where appropriate the amendments” and then make the varied order.
The decision can be called in until 17 November. The varied order takes effect only once the council has published it and put up notices in the area.
The three new rules
The draft order put to Cabinet would ban:
- failing to remove a face covering without reasonable excuse after a police officer or council officer asks
- sitting or lying on the floor in or next to a doorway or portico without the owner’s or occupier’s permission
- loitering within 5 metres of a cash machine or car park payment machine in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance
The face covering rule has changed since the consultation
When the council consulted in the summer, the draft order defined a face covering as anything covering “all or part of a person’s face”. It set no test of harm. Refusing an officer’s request was the offence.
The version that went to Cabinet is narrower. An officer may require someone to remove a face covering only where they “reasonably believe” it is worn to hide the person’s identity for intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress, crime or anti-social behaviour. The definition says it does not include “anything worn for religious, health or work reasons”. The officer must explain the breach, warn that refusing is an offence, and show their authorisation if asked.
What the consultation found
The council received 162 responses before the consultation closed on 22 September. The Cabinet report records:
- 151 supported the face covering rule, 93.2%
- 151 supported the cash machine rule
- 134 supported the doorway rule, 82.7%
- 142, or 87.7%, said the problems would get worse without the order
- only 82, or 50.6%, agreed the existing order helps control them
The report says respondents want “stronger, more visible and consistent enforcement”. On doorways, some asked for outreach and accommodation alongside enforcement “rather than simply displacing people experiencing homelessness”. The draft was presented to the Single Homeless Forum.
Respondents named two hotspots. In the town centre they listed Abington Street, the Market Square, Bridge Street, Gold Street, The Drapery, St Giles Street, Wellingborough Road and Sheep Street. In Upton and Sixfields they described car meets, revving exhausts, racing and groups gathering.
What it means for you
The seven existing rules carry on across the whole of Northampton. They cover drug use and carrying drug equipment, drinking when told to stop, urinating, spitting, and cycling or busking after being asked to stop.
The Cabinet report says the maximum fixed penalty is now £500, up from £100 before 26 October 2026. The draft order itself still names a £100 fixed penalty, so the amount on the final order is worth checking when it is published. If a case goes to the magistrates’ court, the maximum fine is £1,000.
Anyone who lives in, works in or regularly visits Northampton can challenge the varied order in the High Court within six weeks of it being made.
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