The police or the local authority, in consultation with each other, can apply
for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO)
Orders can be made against an individual or several individuals (e.g. a family)
whose behaviour has caused harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people not
in the same household as the offender.
Orders can be made on those aged 10 years and above, and
applications are made to the magistrates’ court in a civil capacity.
Order are preventive in nature and are to be used to end persistent and serious
anti-social behaviour (e.g. racial harassment)
The minimum duration for an order is 2 years, and
a breach of the order is an arrestable offence, carrying a maximum penalty
of 5 years’ imprisonment.
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