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Nuisance vehicles public space protection order consultation 2026 |
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Nuisance vehicles public space protection order consultation 2026Consultation closes: Friday 13 March 2026 Vehicle-related anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Central Bedfordshire is persistent, escalating and significantly impacting residents’ quality of life. Bedfordshire Police data shows Central Bedfordshire accounts for nearly half of all vehicle-related ASB incidents in the county, with hotspots in Houghton Regis and Dunstable. Behaviours include car meets, cruising, street racing, and obstruction of highways. Bedfordshire Police currently has powers under the Road Traffic Act, but these do not cover static car meets unless witnessed in person. We're proposing a public space protection order (PSPO) to restrict harmful vehicle-related behaviours across Central Bedfordshire. It will give police powers to issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) at static meets and these can also be issued if incidents are witnessed via CCTV. The PSPO will run for 3 years, after which a formal review will be required.
We're proposing to introduce a public space protection order (PSPO) to restrict harmful vehicle-related behaviours across Central Bedfordshire. This will help reduce nuisance, improve public safety, and support community wellbeing. The proposed PSPO will cover the whole of Central Bedfordshire and restrict vehicle-related anti-social behaviour. Non-compliance may result in a £100 FPN or a court summons. Restrictions include: excessive engine revving and loud exhaust noise rapid acceleration, harsh braking, and drifting street racing or convoy driving repeated laps and / or driving up and down the same road performing stunts such as doughnuts or wheel spins unnecessary sounding of horns playing amplified music in or near or powered from vehicles at excessive volume obstructing public highways or car parks intimidating behaviour setting light to petrol/other flammable liquids depositing litter from a vehicle EnforcementBedfordshire Police will lead enforcement under a memorandum of understanding agreed with us. Police will respond to incidents, gather evidence, and issue penalties. We will support enforcement through CCTV deployment and issuing penalties where appropriate. EvidenceBedfordshire Police reports show incidents have increased year-on-year. Nearly 50% of vehicle related ASB in Houghton Regis relates to car meets and cruising; in Dunstable, nearly one-third is linked to similar behaviours. Reports continued into 2024 and 2025, indicating an ongoing and escalating issue. Peak times are late evenings on weekends. The introduction of a PSPO is believed to be a proportionate and enforceable response to reduce harm, improve public safety, and support community wellbeing. We are also aware of other areas across Central Bedfordshire who are experiencing nuisance vehicles. We agreed to progress a PSPO only if Bedfordshire Police committed to enforce it, as we lack any enforcement powers. To formalise this, a memorandum of understanding was developed with legal input and signed by the Assistant Chief Constable, ensuring police responsibility for responding to incidents and using PSPO powers.
Alternatively, paper copies of the consultation document and questionnaires can be requested by emailing consultations@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or telephoning 0300 300 8000.
Click link below to take survey Nuisance vehicles public space protection order consultation 2026 | Central Bedfordshire Council
What happens next?The results of the consultation will be considered by Sustainable Communities and Overview and Scrutiny Committee in July 2026, and a final decision will be made by the Executive in August 2026 and Full Council in September 2026. If approved, relevant signage will be put in place and enforcement will begin from October 2026.
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