Anti Social Behaviour

Anti Social Behaviour generally refers to actions that don't match established social expectations and relates to problems caused by:

• noisy neighbours
• abandoned cars
• vandalism
• graffiti and litter
• nuisance

To prevent these problems arising the government have implemented Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). These orders aim to protect the public from any behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

ASBOs are court orders applied for by local authorities, police forces and by registered social landlords. Members of the public can not apply for a court order, but people can get involved by monitoring and collecting evidence.

An order contains conditions stopping an offender from doing specific anti social acts or entering defined areas, and lasts for a minimum of two years. For example, an ASBO may stop an offender from going near a house where they have caused problems. Any breach of an order is seen as a criminal offence.

Acceptable behaviour contract

An Acceptable behaviour contract (ABC) is a voluntary written agreement between a person who has been involved in anti-social behaviour and one or more local agencies (e.g. police) whose role it is to prevent such behaviour. The contract will list the antisocial acts in which the person has been involved and which they have agreed not to continue.

As well as the ASBOs and ABCs, under 16s are banned from buying aerosol paint spray cans as part of a government cut down on graffiti. Under the plans local authorities are now able to impose penalty notices of £50 for creating graffiti or fly-posting.

Electronic Tag: persistent breakers of ASBO's may be required to wear one.