Responding to anti-social behaviour in England and Wales

What is anti-social behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour encompasses criminal and non-criminal behaviour that causes nuisance or harm to others. This can include noisy neighbours, vandalism, graffiti, fly-tipping, or people riding electric bikes dangerously.

Legal definitions are drawn broadly to capture a wide range of behaviours, with a focus on the impact of the behaviour (rather than defining specific acts). The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 defines anti-social behaviour in England and Wales as:

• behaviour that is causing (or is likely to cause) “harassment, alarm or distress” to someone else in a public place, or
• behaviour that is “capable of causing nuisance or annoyance” to someone else in their own home.

These definitions set the legal threshold for when certain powers can be used against perpetrators.

How can anti-social behaviour be tackled?

Out-of-court resolutions are normally sought to address anti-social behaviour, even when the behaviour could constitute a minor criminal offence.

Out-of-court resolutions could involve mediation or a caution. Home Office Anti-social behaviour powers: statutory guidance for frontline professionals says victims should be involved in out-of-court resolutions.

Where the behaviour is particularly serious or persistent, local authorities, the police and social landlords can use civil orders and other powers (largely legislated for under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014).

Part 1 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 amended these powers under the 2014 act, though at the time of writing, the government had not introduced the regulations required to commence the provisions.

Civil orders

Local agencies can apply to the courts for civil orders that can prohibit someone from doing certain things or going to certain places or require them to do something to address their behaviour (for example, attend drug or alcohol services). Currently, there are two main civil orders:

• Anti-social behaviour civil orders can be granted where anyone over the age of 10 is engaged in anti-social behaviour. It is not a criminal offence to breach an order, though someone could be found in contempt of court if they were to beach an order (a civil offence, punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment).
• Criminal behaviour orders can be granted where adults are convicted of a criminal offence and have previously engaged in anti-social behaviour. Breach of a criminal behaviour order is a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

Part 1, chapter 1 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 will amend the 2014 act, replacing anti-social behaviour civil orders with three new forms of civil order: respect orders (for adults engaged in anti-social behaviour); youth injunctions (for children aged 10 to 17 engaged in anti-social behaviour); and housing injunctions (for adults engaged in housing-related anti-social behaviour). At the time of writing, these provisions had not been commenced.

Other powers

The 2014 act provides for several other powers:

• Community protection notices can force people to take remedial action to address behaviour that is having a negative impact locally (such as graffiti, littering or excessive noise). A notice can be issued by the police and local authorities. It is a criminal offence to breach a notice, punishable by a fixed penalty notice of £100 (or a larger fine at court).
• Public space protection orders can be issued by local authorities to prohibit specified activities associated with anti-social behaviour within a designated area. It is a criminal offence to breach an order, punishable by a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 (or a larger fine at court).
• Dispersal orders can be issued by the police to force people participating in anti-social behaviour to leave a designated area for up to 48 hours. It is a criminal offence to breach an order, punishable by up to three months’ imprisonment.
• Closure powers can prevent access to a premises associated with anti-social behaviour. The police and local authority can issue a closure notice for up to 48 hours; a court can grant a closure order for up to six months. It is a criminal offence to disregard a closure power, punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment.

The government issues statutory guidance to help local agencies understand their powers.

Sections 3-5 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 will increase maximum penalties for breaches of community protection notices and public space protection orders, and increase the length of dispersal orders and closure notices. At the time of writing, these provisions had not been commenced.

How are victims supported?

Victims of anti-social behaviour can report incidents to the police or to the local authority. The appropriate authority to report to will depend on the nature of the incident and arrangements in their local area.

If residents are dissatisfied with how their complaints of anti-social behaviour have been dealt with, they might be able to request an anti-social behaviour case review (previously known as a community trigger). Under this scheme, local services must undertake a review of their case if the applicant can demonstrate a minimum threshold has been met (normally that someone has made three complaints within six months). Precise arrangements for the scheme are set locally.