A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a particular area that is detrimental to the local community’s qualify of life.
It does this by imposing conditions on the use of that area, which apply to everyone.
Orders are designed to ensure the law-abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from antisocial behaviour.
Approved orders
Sealed orders
You can also see scans of the sealed orders. These documents are images and do not contain selectable text.
Complaints regarding punt touting
The Public Spaces Protection Order (Touting) 2023 prohibits verbally advertising, soliciting for custom, or otherwise touting for a punt tour or the hire or use of punts boats or similar craft on the River Cam. This includes any walking tour which includes or involves, whether or not for consideration, a punt tour or hire or use of punts boats or similar craft on the River Cam. The order is in place until 27 September 2026.
Anyone engaging in any of the above activities in certain areas of the city will be in breach of the order, which is a criminal offence, and will face a £100 fixed penalty notice or prosecution.
We have six uniformed enforcement officers on the streets who monitor the behaviour of punt touts and who can issue fixed penalty notices on breach of the order. Police patrols can also issue fixed penalty notices for breaches.
Making a complaint
Please ensure you provide the following details to the Community Safety team:
- The exact nature of the complaint, for example, if the tout was heard to offer a punt tour or similar
- The name of the tout, if available, or the company they are working for
- Where the incident took place and when
- How the behaviour made you feel, particularly where aggressive or rude behaviour was involved.
We are aware of public concern about the activities and prevalence of punt touts and will continue to work to address this concern.
