Anti-social Behaviour Orders

What are they?

Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) are civil orders that protect the public from behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress.

Orders can be made on anyone aged 10 years or over who has displayed anti-social behaviour in the previous six months.

ASBOs can be imposed for a fixed period – from a minimum of 2 years to an unlimited maximum limit – or until a further order is made.*

The orders are not criminal penalties and are not intended to punish the offender. However, breach of the order is a criminal offence.

Orders can be made by way of application (often known as ‘stand alone’), by order on conviction or as part of proceedings in the county court.

Interim orders can also be made at the initial court hearing in order to provide immediate protection for the community until the full hearing is held.

When should they be used?

When the behaviour of an identified individual or group of people caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household and that this happened in the previous six months.

When an offender behaved in an anti-social way and an order is necessary to protect the public from further anti-social behaviour.