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Anti Social Behaviour

Anti Social Behaviour Orders

Anti Social Behaviour Orders Explained

Community Safety Partnership
Working Together for a Safer Torfaen

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders

Improving the Quality of Life in Local Communities

In 1998 the Government brought into force the Crime and Disorder Act. This law was introduced in response to growing public concern about unacceptable and anti-social behaviour from groups or individuals who cause alarm, distress or harassment within the community.
Torfaen Statutory Community Safety Partnership (TSCSP) consists of a number of agencies including Torfaen County Borough, Heddlu Gwent Police, Gwent Probation Service, local Housing Associations, Monmouthshire & Torfaen Youth Offending Team and the Health, Social and Educational Services.
The role of (TSCSP) is to consider information received about unacceptable or anti-social behaviour and to take any appropriate action necessary. Some of these actions are outlined below:

Parental Letters
If the individual concerned is under 18, initial contact is made with the young person via a parental letter which is sent to their home. The letter will give details of the alleged anti social behaviour that is causing concern.

Recorded Home Visit
Sometimes it may be appropriate for a police officer to visit the young person or individual at home e.g. where anti-social behaviour has continued despite a parental letter having been sent. At these visits, the anti social behaviour is discussed with the young person (or individual) and their parent(s)/guardian. The visit is formally recorded.

Red Card Letter
If unacceptable behaviour continues, a formal letter may be sent from BCSP. The letter will again give details of the alleged behaviour and outline the action that may be taken should the anti social behaviour continue.

Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC)
In some cases, an interview is arranged between representatives of BCSP and the individual(s) concerned. At the interview a contract of Acceptable Behaviour is drawn up and signed.

Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO)
If the behaviour continues to be unacceptable or of a serious nature, the matter will then be considered by BCSP and an application may be made to the Magistrates' Court for an ASBO against the individual(s).
Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) are similar in nature to an injunction. The Court will impose appropriate conditions on the individual(s) concerned prohibiting them from causing alarm, distress and harassment to other individuals and the community in general. Specific conditions may also be imposed, such as preventing the person from associating with certain individuals and banning them from a particular area for a fixed period of time. The Orders may last from 2 to 5 years.

The aim of such orders is to impose conditions on the individual(s) concerned which will prohibit them from behaving in a way that is unacceptable and that causes alarm, distress or harassment. Breach of an ASBO is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment up to a maximum of 5 years.

The support of the community is vital in reporting and identifying individual(s) who cause anti-social behaviour and, in some cases, providing evidence to assist TSCSP in efforts to prevent anti-social behaviour continuing. This information is as important after an ASBO has been made, as it is before one is made, so that any breaches are properly dealt with by the Court.

It is the aim of TSCSP to make the Torfaen County Borough a safer place. The use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders is one of the means by which it is hoped that anti-social behaviour can be tackled successfully. If you are, or have recently been, the victim of anti-social behaviour, you are strongly advised to report this to your local police, Torfaen County Borough, or your landlord (if your home is provided by a Housing Association).

If the anti-social acts complained of are continuing, please keep a diary of the events that you witness. Detail as much information about the incident(s) and the person(s) involved as possible, including dates and times and the effect the behaviour had on you. You can obtain forms for this purpose from the Torfaen Coiunty Borough or the Heddlu Gwent Police.

You may find that your neighbours are experiencing similar behaviour. If so, they should also be encouraged to report any incidents and to keep a diary of events that they have witnessed.

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