East Suffolk - Suffolk Coastal District Council and Waveney District Council

07/01/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/01/2022 04:39

Public Space Protection Order discharged

Posted by on 1 July 2022 | Comments

An order which banned the possession and consumption of legal highs at the Latitude Festival is no longer required and has been discharged.

Having been introduced in 2016 and extended for a further three years in 2019, the existing Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Latitude Festival at Henham Park will expire on 17 July 2022.

Earlier this year, partners including Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, East of England Ambulance Service, Festival Republic and officers from East Suffolk Council's Environmental Protection, Health and Safety, Licensing, Legal and Emergency Response teams were consulted on the PSPO. Whilst the PSPO did have some positive impact, it has been decided there is insufficient evidence to either extend or vary the order for use at this year's Latitude Festival. All partners involved therefore agreed to recommend that the PSPO be discharged.

On 7 June, East Suffolk Council's Cabinet approved the discharge of the order.

Cllr Mark Jepson, East Suffolk's assistant cabinet member for Community Safety said:

"The PSPO has had an impact. However, there are now more appropriate policing measures available, and as such, there is no longer a need for this order at this popular event."

Four fixed penalty notices were issued by police using the PSPO legislation since 2016. There were no fixed penalty notices served at Latitude Festival in 2021.

The order will be published on East Suffolk Council website on Friday 1 July. Signage will be sighted on or adjacent the public place to which the order relates.