Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance has been given to local authorities by HM Government on (a) civil or (b) criminal penalties for urination in a public place in (i) England and (ii) London, including through (1) Public Space Protection Orders and (2) council bye-laws.

Local authorities are responsible for determining if there is a need to make a byelaw and the relevant powers for doing so. The government’s published guidance on byelaws is available on GOV.UK. Local authorities seeking to make a byelaw on public urination may refer to model byelaw set 8, which includes a clause on urinating in public.

The Home Office provides statutory guidance to support the effective use of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO). Through the Crime and Policing Act, the Government has increased the maximum Fixed Penalty Notice for breach of a PSPO from £100 to £500. The statutory guidance will be updated to reflect this change and to help ensure the power is used proportionately in line with local circumstances.