Have your say: Paddington Old Cemetery PSPO Review

Residents are invited to share their views on the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) at Paddington Old Cemetery in Kilburn, in response to escalating concerns about dog behaviour.

PSPOs are legal measures that impose conditions on the use of areas, applying to everyone. They are designed to prevent nuisance, enhance public safety, and improve the quality of life for residents.

The current PSPO requirements at Paddington Old Cemetery are:

• Dogs must be kept under control at all times, within eyesight, and must respond when called. If your dog is not under your control, you will be instructed to put the dog on a lead.
• Dog waste must be picked up immediately and disposed of properly in the bins provided or taken away.
• A maximum of four dogs may be walked by one person at a time.

The council is now seeking feedback on whether to:

• Keep the current rules.
• Introduce new requirements, such as having dogs on leads at all times or setting conditions for off-lead dogs.

Councillor Harbi Farah, Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Partnerships, said:

“Maintaining a peaceful and respectful environment at Paddington Old Cemetery, which honours the memory of loved ones, is vitally important.

“Over recent years, the cemetery has also become a valued green space for local dog walkers, but this shift has raised concerns among grave owners, visitors, and mourners.

“We have received serious complaints about dogs urinating and defecating on graves, being out of control near mourners, and even incidents of dog attacks - behaviour that is completely unacceptable in a place of remembrance.

“Our enforcement team is onsite to ensure compliance with the current requirements, with fines of up to £1,000 for dog owners who fail to adhere to the rules. Alongside this, we are conducting a full review of the PSPO and its requirements. As part of this process, we need to hear from you.

“I urge all Paddington Old Cemetery visitors to have your say in the consultation. Your feedback is essential for shaping future regulations and ensuring a safe and respectful environment for everyone.”

The consultation runs from Friday 18 October to Tuesday 10 December.

Take part in the consultation.