What we can do about anti-social behaviour

The police and other organisations have various powers to deal with anti-social behaviour. By working together and pooling our powers we can rid the area of a nuisance.

This may be through prevention (for example making local improvements or providing things for young people to do to keep them out of trouble), working with offenders, their families and the wider community to help them change, or by using various powers to enforce the law.

Powers to deal with anti-social behaviour

These powers include:

Acceptable behaviour agreements (ABAs) - where an individual recognises the effect of their behaviour on others, and agrees not to repeat this behaviour. They may be offered support to help them do this.

Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) - court orders to stop persistent nuisance can be made
against anyone aged 10 and over. Breaching an ASBO can lead to up to five years in prison
or a fine of up to £5,000 for adults and various penalties for young people.

Closure notices - to shut down licensed premises causing noise nuisance and rowdy behaviour or houses where people deal in and take class A drugs. Closures can last for up to six months.

Designated public place orders - limit drinking of alcohol in a set area. Alcohol can be confi scated and people refusing to cooperate can be arrested and prosecuted, given a £50 penalty notice or banned from drinking in public.

Dispersal orders - can be used to move groups of people away from a particular area if they are
believed to be responsible for or likely to cause a nuisance to others. Young people under 16 can
also be returned home if they are at risk from crime and nuisance behaviour or are responsible for causing it.

Fixed penalty notices and penalty notices for disorder give police officers, community support officers and accredited council officers powers to impose fines of up to £80 for causing nuisance.

Court penalties - ranging from a prison sentence, fines of up to £5,000 in a magistrates’ court, probation or orders including community service, curfews and attendance centre orders.