Street drinking, ‘aggressive begging’ and intimidating loitering could soon come with a hefty fine across Leicester under new plans to crack down on anti-social behaviour.
Apr 19, 2026
Leicester high street. Photograph: Caitlin James
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Leicester City Council is preparing to launch a six-week consultation giving residents a say on plans to expand a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to the wider city.
The order, which allows council officers to issue £100 fines for offences such as aggressive begging, street drinking, misuse of megaphones and irresponsible vehicle use, was introduced last April within the inner ring road.
In an update given to the Culture and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Commission on Thursday, April 16, council officers say six extra wardens will begin work in the city centre in the coming weeks.
They also revealed plans to extend enforcement into outer neighbourhoods, which are in the making.
Under the proposed zone two expansion, the PSPO would target a range of persistent behaviours linked to frequent complaints.
These include drug and alcohol related activity, firework misuse, intimidating loitering and spitting.
City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen significant improvements in the city centre, with the PSPO empowering us to tackle a whole range of nuisance behaviours – from amplified music to the inconsiderate use of e-bikes and scooters.
“Now I’d like to use those same powers to target our resources at the neighbourhoods around the city centre where the highest number of incidents of antisocial behaviour are reported.
“Whether it’s drug-related activity, alcohol-fuelled disorder or the inconsiderate use of fireworks, these behaviours can adversely affect people’s enjoyment of their local streets and spaces – and I’m determined to use all the tools at my disposal to deal with those who spoil Leicester’s neighbourhoods for everyone else.”
However, businesses operating within the current PSPO zone say they have seen little improvement and believe more work is needed before expanding the scheme.
Pete Gardner, owner of chocolate shop Cocoa Amore on Silver Street, feels problems remain persistent despite the order. He added that he had recently installed iron bars on his shop door following break-in attempts.
He said: “You can’t walk from the bus station to the shop – a seven-minute journey – without being pestered three or four times.
“We have got some really, really good stuff in Leicester. I feel like it should live up to its potential, but it doesn’t at the moment.
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“Don’t replicate what you have done in the city centre further afield because I can’t see any difference. Get it right in the centre first and then roll it out further.”
Down the road on Carts Lane, Garth Coverdale, who has run Cover Story menswear shop for more than 30 years, said the anti-social behaviour is affecting footfall.
He said: “It massively puts off customers. It’s the perceived danger – people see it as dangerous and unsafe.
“I say concentrate on the city centre first. Get customers back in the city centre. If you want people to spend money, make it a family-friendly environment.”
Steve Bradley, owner of Maynard and Bradley bookshop and gallery in the Royal Arcade, said he regularly witnesses drug use in public.
He said: “Why would you come? It looks terrible. It’s appalling, like a third-world country.
“Expanding the scheme won’t do any harm, but officers don’t seem to be around much here.”
Also in the Royal Arcade, staff at Tinfish shoe shop say issues on the street remain a daily concern. The comments come after a nearby shop removed all stock following a burglary in broad daylight on Easter Sunday.
Manager Joe said the situation continues to deter visitors.
He said: “People are put off coming down the arcade because there will be people in the arcade dealing drugs, doing drugs, generally being antisocial.
“I don’t think it has got any better. I would love to see more of a presence on the high street. That’s something we don’t have.
“I feel like the consequences don’t seem to be harsh enough, so it’s not really stopping anyone.
“I’d like to see more happening in the heart of the city. This is the worst of where everything happens.”
A launch date for the consultation, where residents can have their say on the new order, is expected to be announced next week.
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