Tools and Powers to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour

There are a range of tools and powers available to deal with anti-social behaviour:

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs)

An ABC is a voluntary agreement that the perpetrator will behave in a certain way. They are drawn up between one or more local agencies (such as the police, local authority). ABCs are effective in tackling low-level anti-social behaviour.

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)

ASBOs are civil orders designed to protect the well being of the community. They can be used on anyone aged 10 and above, who commits anti-social behaviour which caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. A breach of an ASBO is a criminal offence.

Crack House Closure Orders

Police have powers to close premises where they believe the property has been taken over by drug users or dealers of Class A drugs. The property is sealed for 3 months, and entering and remaining in the property is an offence.

Dispersal Powers

These are designed for areas where there is persistent anti-social behaviour and problems with groups causing intimidation. Police have powers to disperse intimidating groups and exclude people for up to 24 hours. These can last for 6 months and can be renewed if necessary.

Individual Support Orders (ISOs)

These are designed to tackle the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour and can be attached to ASBOs. The order is overseen by youth offending team/social services to ensure the perpetrator engages with relevant agencies (such as counselling for substance misuse).

Injunctions

Injunctions are civil orders that prohibit the person engaging in anti-social behaviour, and can exclude the person from specified places. They are useful in tackling noise nuisance, verbal abuse and threats of violence. They provide a swift resolution to the problem. Breach of an injunction can result in two years imprisonment and/or a fine.

Parenting Contracts

Parenting Contracts are voluntary agreements made between local agencies and parents to set out what parents will to do address the anti-social behaviour of their child. They can include ensuring the child attends school regularly, and agreeing to attend a parenting programme.

Parenting Orders

These are civil orders that the Court imposes on parents/guardians. They contain similar requirements to parenting contracts above, and are made when a young person has been given an ASBO. Non-compliance can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 or a sentence.

Powers to tackle specific Anti-Social Behaviour

A multi-agency approach is used to tackle anti-social behaviour.

There are various powers available to the agencies involved.  Please click on the links to downloadable pdfs below for information on what these powers are:

Begging/vagrancy (47Kb)

Environmental damage (52Kb)

Firework misuse (48Kb)

Hoax call (47Kb)

Malicious communication (47Kb)

Nuisance neighbours (48Kb)

Prostitution (47Kb)

Rowdy/nuisance behaviour (53Kb)

Street drinking (48Kb)

Substance misuse (47Kb)

Trespass (48Kb)

Vehicle nuisance (47Kb)