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The order, introduced in July 2024, covers the area within the city’s ring road and was designed to tackle anti-social behaviour and related crime. Since its implementation, overall recorded crime in the city centre has dropped by 16 per cent, with police crediting the PSPO as a key factor in the reduction. The PSPO gives West Midlands Police and City of Wolverhampton Council officers powers to disperse groups of three or more people if they are causing, or are likely to cause, nuisance or alarm. It also allows officers to request that individuals remove face coverings used to conceal their identity, except where coverings are worn for legitimate medical or religious reasons. Superintendent Martin Hurcomb from Wolverhampton Police said: "We, working with our partners at the council and specifically the Community Safety Team, are completely committed to providing a safe space within the city centre, where members of the public can feel confident that crime, including anti-social behaviour, is prioritised and proactively tackled. “The PSPO has already shown it can make a real difference and is part of our collective response to drive down crime, like the Government's Safer Streets initiative over the summer months targeting anti-social behaviour within high streets." Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, added: "Public Space Protection Orders are designed to ensure the law-abiding majority can continue to use and enjoy public spaces, safe from the threat of anti-social behaviour or nuisance. “These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the order in making the city centre a safer and more welcoming place for residents, businesses, and visitors." The PSPO will remain in force for three years, with reviews every six months to ensure it remains effective and proportionate. Police have also emphasised that neighbourhood officers across Wolverhampton are working to tackle anti-social behaviour more widely. Residents experiencing issues can report incidents via 101 or Live Chat on the West Midlands Police website.
