A new restriction has been added to the PSPO, Public Spaces Protection Order, which from today prohibits the antisocial use of amplified equipment such as megaphones, loud hailers, microphones and speakers in the city’s centre.

The council says that this restriction would only be enforced where such activity is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and would not apply to authorised events, announcements or approved street entertainment.

The order was introduced in 2017, and renewed every three years and gives the council additional powers to tackle anti-social behaviour alongside police.

Councillor Gemma Cobby, Cabinet Member for Regulation and Enforcement, Planning and Safer Communities said: “In the past three years alone, officers have enforced against 1,333 breaches of the PSPO order and will continue to take action against those who flout the rules.

“We want to ensure our city centre is a safe and vibrant place to live in, work at and visit. However, for anyone found breaching the PSPO prohibitions, they will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100. In certain circumstances, they could even face prosecution and a larger fine of up to £1,000.

“I ask the residents and businesses of Doncaster to work with us, to report instances of crime and antisocial behaviour, to support local businesses and champion local enterprise, including Doncaster Markets.”