City of Lincoln moves closer to introduction on ban on 'legal highs'

The decision by City of Lincoln Council’s Executive followed a four-week consultation on the proposals. This saw 97% of respondents saying they would support a ban on consuming intoxicating substances – including alcohol and new psychoactive substances (NPS) – in the city centre.


A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) containing a prohibition – "Person(s) within this area will not ingest, inhale, inject, smoke or otherwise use intoxicating substances" – will go before full council for a final decision on 24 February.

Intoxicating substances will have the following definition (which includes alcohol and what are commonly referred to as ‘legal highs’): “Substances with the capacity to stimulate or depress the central nervous system”.

Individuals who breach the order would be committing a criminal offence and could receive a fixed penalty notice or face a fine in court.

Police and council enforcement officers would also have the power to demand the surrender of the intoxicating substances.

PSPOs were brought in under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Sam Barstow, Service Manager for Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour, said: “The main difference between the existing powers and this new proposal is that it gives us the ability to tackle on-street alcohol consumption and the use of so-called legal highs.

“This new power gives the police and council the ability to deal with issues associated with the on-street consumption of these substances in a more flexible way and we will be working with Lincolnshire Police to produce an enforcement plan to support the order.”

Cllr Ric Metcalfe, City of Lincoln’s Leader, said: “The council has recognised there is a problem relating to street drinking and the use of new psychoactive substances and welcomes the reform of anti-social behaviour powers, which has allowed us to be creative and adapt to emerging issues impacting the city.”