New powers strengthen response to persistent ASB offenders

Introduced under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, the orders will ensure that persistent ASB offenders face curfews or bans from town centres and can also require attendance to mandatory rehabilitation programmes, helping to break the cycle of offending and restore confidence in local communities.

The Home Office said breaching a Respect Order is a criminal offence and is punishable by up to two years in prison for the most serious offences.

Respect Orders will be uploaded to the Police National Computer, so where someone is committing ASB, police can check to see if one is in place and arrest them for breaching their conditions.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Catherine Akehurst, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for ASB, said: “We welcome the new legislation to introduce Respect Orders which will provide police and partner agencies additional tools to tackle anti-social behaviour which we know can so often undermine a sense of safety in communities, erode pride in neighbourhoods, and diminish overall quality of life.

“This new tool will enable swift enforcement against prolific offenders, while prioritising rehabilitation and support to break cycles of criminal and anti-social behaviour.

“We have been working closely with the Home Office and College of Policing to support the implementation of these new measures and developed operational guidance to assist frontline officers in readiness for their implementation.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood added: “Unchecked, ASB blights our communities. But it is not inevitable and I won’t accept it.

“For too long, we have lacked the powers we need to deal with this problem properly. From today, that changes: authorities will be able to take tough action against these offenders.

“This delivers on a commitment we made to the British people in our manifesto. And, most importantly, those who make life a misery for others will now face the consequences of their actions.”

Welcoming their implementation, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners leads for Local Policing, Matt Storey and Chris Nelson, said: “ASB is an issue of pressing concern for our communities. As police and crime commissioners and deputy mayors, we see first-hand the devastating impact it has on the lives of victims and their families. This is why tackling and reducing this behaviour remains a core priority.

“We welcome the strengthening of powers that will enable the police, local authorities and key partners to take a tougher approach against the most relentless offenders and hold them accountable.

“Respect Orders not only provide immediate relief to communities affected by relentless and detrimental behaviour, improving the quality of life for residents, they also enable police and partners to mandate root cause interventions such as drug, alcohol or anger management treatments to address the underlying issues driving the behaviour in the first place.

“This is critical for preventing reoffending and securing the long-term safety of our communities.”

Federation of Independent Retailers National President Hemanshu Patel said welcomed the additional powers for police and local authorities to tackle ASB particularly where persistent offenders are causing misery for retailers and their communities.

“However, retailers need to see a lasting difference, not just short-term activity,” he added.

“Shop theft, abuse, threats and damage to businesses continue to have a real impact on our members and their staff. Behind the figures are independent retailers trying to run their businesses and serve their communities.

“We must also recognise that recorded crime figures do not necessarily reflect the full picture, particularly where incidents go unreported or retailers feel that reporting them will make little difference.

“Our message is constructive, but clear. We welcome action from the Government, police and local authorities, but the real test is whether crime is reduced, offenders are dealt with effectively and retailers feel safer in their own businesses.”

Mr Storey and Mr Nelson said the implementation of these new powers coincides with the launch of the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Safer Town Centres Spotlight.

“The campaign showcases the excellent partnership working already taking place across our town centres and provides real-life examples of how enforcement powers and innovative interventions are being used to successfully address crime and ASB,” they said.

The four-week campaign, which runs until November 22, provides a platform for police and partners to share their success stories with the aim of increasing public confidence, sharing learning and contributing to future improvements in problem-solving and partnership action across the country.