Guide to the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act

What the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 covers

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 replaced and streamlined a range of earlier powers used to deal with nuisance and disruptive behaviour. It brought together measures from several previous laws, including parts of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, and gave councils, police and housing providers a clearer set of tools to respond to problems.

The Act addresses anti-social behaviour broadly, not just disputes between neighbours. It covers persistent noise, harassment, threats, vandalism, and behaviour that causes alarm or distress to others. It also deals with matters such as dangerous dogs, forced marriage, and certain police powers.

If you are dealing with anti-social behaviour from a neighbour, the 2014 Act is likely to shape how your council, housing association or the police responds. Understanding these powers helps set expectations and informs you of potential remedies.

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Injunctions to prevent anti-social behaviour

One of the main tools under the Act is the civil injunction. This replaced the old anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) and the anti-social behaviour injunction used by social landlords.

A civil injunction can be sought against someone aged 10 or over if they have engaged in, or threatened to engage in, conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance. For those under 18, the application process involves youth offending teams, who provide assessment and input. The court must also be satisfied that granting the injunction is just and convenient to prevent further anti-social behaviour.

The injunction can include prohibitions, such as banning someone from a certain area or from contacting specific people. It can also include positive requirements, such as attending a course or programme designed to address their behaviour.

A few points to note:

• For anyone under 18, an injunction can last up to 12 months.
• For adults, there is no fixed time limit. The court decides what is appropriate.
• Breaching an injunction can lead to further court action. Adults may face civil contempt proceedings, which can result in imprisonment. For younger people, consequences may include supervision or detention orders.

Applications for injunctions can be made by councils, police, housing providers, the Environment Agency, NHS Counter Fraud Authority, and certain other public authorities or registered providers of social housing. As a resident, you cannot apply directly, but you can report problems and ask your landlord or council to consider this route.

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Other powers under the Act

The 2014 Act introduced several other measures that may be relevant depending on your situation.

Criminal behaviour orders can be issued by a court following a conviction for any criminal offence if the court believes the person has engaged in behaviour that caused harassment, alarm or distress. They are intended to prevent further offending and can include restrictions on where someone can go or who they can contact.

Community protection notices allow councils and police to address conduct by anyone aged 16 or over, or by a business, where that conduct is having a persistent and unreasonable effect on the quality of life of others in the area. The notice can require them to stop certain behaviour or take steps to put things right.

Public spaces protection orders let councils restrict activities in a defined area if the behaviour is having a detrimental effect on the local community. These orders are commonly indicated by signs in public areas such as parks and town centres.

Closure powers allow police or councils to apply to close premises linked to nuisance or disorder in serious cases. This might apply to a property being used for drug dealing or persistent disturbances.

Each of these powers has its own conditions and processes. The appropriate measure depends on the nature and severity of the behaviour involved.

What you can do if you are affected

If anti-social behaviour from a neighbour is affecting your daily life, the first step is usually to report it. Keep a written record of incidents, including dates, times and what happened. This will help whoever handles your complaint to understand the pattern of behaviour.

You can report problems to your local council, which will usually have an anti-social behaviour team. If you rent from a housing association or council, your landlord may also have its own procedures. The police should be contacted if behaviour is criminal or you feel at risk.

Some councils offer mediation services, which can help resolve disputes without formal action. This is often a sensible first step where the behaviour is annoying rather than threatening.

If informal approaches are unsuccessful, inquire with your council or landlord about potential formal actions. They may be able to apply for an injunction, issue a community protection notice, or take other steps under the 2014 Act.

For detailed guidance on the law and your options, GOV.UK provides official information on anti-social behaviour powers and how to report problems in your area.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan lets you get a clear action plan to deal with anti-social neighbours. Takes 2 minutes. Try it now →