What changed on 2 October
The amended Hanley order is now in effect and runs until October 2029. Bucknall New Road and surrounding areas have been added to the designated area. The council says the existing restrictions on drinking from an open vessel and behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress remain unchanged.
The restrictions apply within the designated area. Check the council’s announcement for its explanation, and follow our Stoke council coverage for further updates.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has extended the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering Hanley for a further three years until October 2029. The order, which has been in place since 2017, was reviewed by the council's Anti-Social Behaviour Team following public consultation and took effect on 2 October 2026.
The amended order now extends to Bucknall New Road and surrounding areas following reports of anti-social behaviour and crime in that location.
What the PSPO covers
The PSPO maintains two existing prohibitions within the designated area: drinking alcohol from an open vessel and behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress. The council uses the order to provide additional powers to tackle specified anti-social behaviour and support wider community safety efforts in Hanley.
Consultation result
Consultation on the amendments and extension returned 96% support from respondents.
Council and police backing
Stoke-on-Trent City Council Leader Jane Ashworth said: "Everyone should be able to enjoy their local area without having to deal with anti-social behaviour, crime or behaviour that makes people feel unsafe. The extension of the Hanley PSPO means we can continue to use the powers available to us to tackle the issues that residents and communities are experiencing, while also extending the area covered to include Bucknall New Road and the surrounding area."
Chief Inspector Rebecca Price, commander of the Stoke North local policing team, said: "We welcome the decision to extend the PSPO for a further three years. This will help us when dealing with people who persistently behave in an anti-social manner and have a detrimental effect on the community."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council will continue to work with Staffordshire Police and other partners to respond to reports of anti-social behaviour and crime across the area.