Anti-social behaviour

Sometimes young people do things which don’t actually break the law, but can alarm or distress others. This kind of behaviour is called Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB).

Thanks to the Crime and Disorder Act (1998), the police have a number of ways to deal with anti-social behaviour.

 

Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) 

An ABC is a written agreement between a person who has been involved in anti-social behaviour and one or more local agencies.

The ABC lists the anti social things that the person has done and that they agree not to do in future.

The contract will usually state what will happen if the person gets involved in anti-social behaviour again.

An ABC is not a legal document, it is a voluntary agreement. However, if a person breaks the contract it might lead to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order or some other legal action.

 

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO's)

If the police or the local council believe someone is continuing to act in an anti-social way they can apply to the Magistrates Courts to get an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against that person.

An Anti-Social Behaviour Order or ASBO can be made against any person aged 10 or over who continues to act in an anti-social way.

The order will usually require the person to stop doing particular things or going to particular places. An ASBO is not a voluntary agreement it's an order from the court.