New civil court orders, similar to the former Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (Asbos), are set to be implemented across England and Wales later this year as the government seeks to address persistent anti-social conduct. These "respect orders" will be aimed at adults and carry a maximum two-year jail sentence for breaches, alongside other penalties.
The measures are scheduled to roll out starting October 26. The government stated that these orders are intended to tackle behavior that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress. Examples cited include alcohol and drug-related offenses, vandalism, issues with noisy neighbors, and the persistent misuse of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Crime and policing minister Sarah Jones emphasized the impact of anti-social behavior on residents and communities. "Respect orders will ban perpetrators from the places they blight, force them to confront the causes of their behaviour and make breaching one a criminal offence with serious consequences, including prison," Jones said. "This sends a clear message that repeat offenders cannot be allowed to make life a misery for local communities any longer."
Unlike the original Asbos, introduced in 1998 and abolished in 2014, the new respect orders will be restricted to adult offenders and have a shorter maximum prison term. Original Asbos could be imposed on individuals over the age of 10 and carried a potential prison sentence of up to five years.
Beyond potential jail time, penalties for violating a respect order may include curfews, unlimited fines, and community orders such as unpaid work. Perpetrators could also be required to participate in rehabilitation programs, including drug or alcohol treatment or anger management courses.
Police and various other agencies, such as local councils, social landlords, Transport for London, the Environment Agency, and the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, will have the authority to apply for these orders. They can be used to ban individuals from specific locations, such as town centers or parks.
Harvinder Saimbhi of the charity ASBHelp commented on the necessity of visible action and consistent enforcement, stating, "Respect orders send a clear national message, anti-social behaviour will be met with firm, immediate consequences, and communities will no longer be expected to tolerate repeat harm."