What is Anti-social behaviour?
Anti-social behaviour is often something that goes on in places outdoors, in areas that we all share and enjoy.
Anti-social behaviour is anything that can have an impact on the community and disrupt the peace and quiet of the people that live around you. It can include things such as:
- Noise in the street
- Loud noise coming from a house
- Litter
- Graffiti
- Going on to other people’s property without permission
- Allowing animals to mess without clearing it up
- Getting drunk in a public place
Litter, graffiti, shouting and drinking in public spaces can affect everyone who lives in the community but it is often the case that people just don’t think about what they are doing. They may drop a piece of litter by accident and just can’t be bothered to pick it up.
Anti-social behaviour can start out as 'just a bit of fun' with your friends but if it goes too far you can end up damaging the place you live in, other people’s property, or even yourself.
People can feel intimidated by groups of young people or get upset by the noise they are making and they will often report it to the police.
The police will sometimes need to speak to groups because a complaint has been made – this is their job and, even though it can seem unfair, they must look into every complaint.
The police or the antisocial behaviour team will often send letters to the parents of young people who commit anti social behaviour telling them what they have been doing.
If they get more than one letter sent to them then they may get a visit at their home from the police and the antisocial behaviour team
Sometimes young people who continue to commit antisocial behaviour or commit a lot of antisocial behaviour will be given an ABC (Acceptable Behaviour Contract) - sometimes known as ABA (Acceptable Behaviour Agreement)
What is an ABC?
An ABC, sometimes known as an ABA is a contract or agreement that is made between the person committing antisocial behaviour, their parents or adults who are responsible for them if they are between 10 and 17, the police, and the antisocial behaviour team.
The contract is an agreement that the person will not commit any further antisocial behaviour or cause any nuisance in their community.
If they break the contract and continue with the anti-social behaviour they might be given an Anti-social Behaviour Order
What is an Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO)?
It's an order made by a Magistrates Court issued to stop anyone over the age of 10 from behaving in an anti-social manner.
It's not recorded as a criminal record but is often associated with criminal offending. ASBOs are effective for a minimum of two years.
Sometimes an Anti-social Behaviour Order can affect the tenancy of the home the person is living in if it is rented and their family might be at risk of losing their home if the antisocial behaviour continues.
Who can apply for an ASBO?
Applications for an ASBO can be made by:
- Police
- Local Council
- Registered Social Landlords
- Housing Associations/Trusts
- British Transport Police
An ASBO will have some conditions attached to it which the person has to stick to. These conditions will include such things as:-
- A curfew stating what times the person is allowed out of their home
- A list of areas they are not allowed to go in to
- A list of people they are not allowed to associate with
- Certain behaviour that they can not be involved in
What happens if an ASBO is broken?
If a person has been given an ASBO and continues with the anti-social behaviour, or any of the conditions of the ASBO are broken, the matter will then be dealt with as a criminal offence. Depending on the how severely the conditions have been broken, this could lead to a fine or up to 5 years in prison.
Another way that Anti-social Behaviour in an area is sometimes dealt with is by putting in place a Dispersal Order
What is a Dispersal Order?
A Dispersal Order is sometimes referred to as a Section 30 Order.
A senior police officer can agree to put restrictions around a certain place such as an estate, a park or a street where there have been a lot of reports about antisocial behaviour.
If an area becomes a Dispersal area the police and community support officers have the power to ask groups of people to leave the area after a certain time and ask them to stay out of the area for 24hrs. T
They can ask young people under the age of 16 to go home after 9.00 pm; although they can’t force them to go, if they refuse they commit an offence.
You will be allowed to pass through a dispersal area on your way to somewhere so won’t be affected if you live in an area with a dispersal order.
