There are a range of tools and powers available to deal
with anti-social behaviour.
The goal of any intervention is to:
- First, and most immediately, protect victims, witnesses and the
community.
- Enable the perpetrator to recognise the consequences of their
behaviour.
- Make sure the perpetrator has access to support to help change
their behaviour.
- Put in place measures to prevent future repetition.
Powers to deal with anti-social behaviour include:
- 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 and 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.
- Drink Banning Orders (DBOs)
DBOs are civil orders that can be made against an individual aged
at least 16 if they have engaged in criminal or disorderly conduct
while under the influence of alcohol. Individuals in receipt of an
order have the opportunity to attend an approved course voluntarily
in order to address their alcohol-related behaviour, and will have
conditions placed upon them to prevent further disorderly conduct.
Breaching the order can lead to a fine of up to £2,500.
- 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 three months and entering/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. In the
designated zones the police have powers to disperse intimidating
groups and exclude people for up to 24 hours. They also have the
power to take young people (under 16 years of age) back to their
home address after 9pm if they are considered vulnerable to
anti-social behaviour/crime, or if the officer believes they are
behaving/or will behave in a disorderly manner.
- 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 (YOT) to ensure the perpetrator engages with
relevant agencies.
- Injunctions
Injunctions are civil orders
that prohibit the person engaging in anti-social behaviour, and can
exclude the person from specified places. 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 imposed by the courts on parents/guardians.
They contain similar requirements to parenting contracts above.
Non-compliance can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 or a
sentence.
- Designated Public Place Order
(DPPO)
DPPOs are used in areas where alcohol-related
anti-social behaviour is an issue. Once a DPPO is in place the
police can use their confiscation powers to enforce the
restriction. It is not an offence to consume alcohol within a
designated area, but failure to comply with an officer's requests
to stop drinking and surrender alcohol without reasonable excuse
is. Failure to comply with a police request to surrender alcohol
could result in arrest and a fine of up to £500.
- Other tools include:
Verbal and Written Warnings, Noise Abatement Notices, Housing
Tenancy Enforcement, Fixed Penalty Notices (fines).
