The ASBO, or Anti-Social Behaviour Order, was part of the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act. Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are designed to be a deterrent against anti-social behaviour in young people. Anyone over the age of 10 can be given Anti-Social Behaviour Orders.
The offences you could get an Anti-Social Behaviour Order for include:
- Excessive noise
- Vehicle crime
- Racial abuse
- Verbal and physical abuse
- Kerb crawling
- Underage drinking and smoking
If an offender is given any Anti-Social Behaviour Orders they can be banned from going to certain places where they live, such as town centres, and also be ordered not to socialise with certain people. Anti-Social Behaviour Orders last for two years. If the person that has been given an Anti-Social Behaviour Order breaks the terms of their order they could face a fine and also imprisonment of up to five years.
ASBOs are usually handed out by the magistrates’ court in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and by the Sheriff’s Court in Scotland. Your local authority can also apply to the courts for ASBOs against people that are disrupting the lives of citizens in their boroughs. The police in your area and the British Transport Police can also apply to the courts for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against an individual.
Every community now has their own Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) representative that supports communities that are suffering from anti-social behaviour. You can locate your local team on the Respect website: www.respect.gov.uk.
If you would like to obtain legal advice about Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local specialist solicitor free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding local solicitors please call us on 0800 1777 167 or complete the web-form above.
