Bassetlaw District Council has introduced a new Nuisance Vehicle Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) aimed at cracking down on car cruising, dangerous driving and the anti-social behaviour that has been a growing source of complaints across the district.

The new order sits alongside existing joint work between the council and Nottinghamshire Police to tackle dangerous driving, in particular on the A57 through Bassetlaw – a road that has seen repeated incidents of high-speed driving and gatherings of modified vehicles.

What the PSPO targets

The new Nuisance Vehicle PSPO specifically targets the following behaviours:

  • Excessive horn use in a way that causes public nuisance
  • Loud music from vehicles, particularly late at night or in residential areas
  • Performing stunts – including wheelspins, burnouts, donuts and handbrake turns
  • Gatherings that cause a public nuisance – large informal meets where the way vehicles are driven or parked causes disruption

Anyone found in breach of the order could face a fixed-penalty notice fine, and for repeat or serious offenders, prosecution.

Public consultation showed strong support

The PSPO follows a period of public consultation, which the council says showed strong support from residents for tougher action on vehicle-related anti-social behaviour. Complaints about car cruising and excessive vehicle noise have been a recurring theme in community engagement events, particularly among residents living near key routes such as the A57.

“Alongside our work with Nottinghamshire Police to address dangerous driving on the A57, we have introduced a Nuisance Vehicle Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). This will target behaviours such as excessive horn use, loud music, performing stunts, and gatherings that cause public nuisance. The scheme follows public consultation, which showed strong support from residents. Those found in breach of the order could face a fine or prosecution.”

— Cllr Simon Greaves, Leader of Bassetlaw District Council (Leader's Column, 17 April 2026)

What is a PSPO?

A Public Spaces Protection Order is a legal tool introduced under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 that gives councils the power to restrict specific behaviours in public spaces if those behaviours are having a detrimental impact on quality of life in the area. Other PSPOs in force around the UK commonly cover things like street drinking, aggressive begging, and dog fouling.

The orders are enforceable by the council's community protection officers and by Nottinghamshire Police, and breaches can result in a fixed-penalty notice or, on conviction at magistrates' court, a fine.

How to report a nuisance vehicle incident

If you witness anti-social vehicle behaviour in Bassetlaw, you can report it through Bassetlaw District Council's anti-social behaviour reporting service at bassetlaw.gov.uk/asb, or through Nottinghamshire Police on 101 (or 999 in an emergency).

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.