AFTER 16 years, anti social behaviour orders are on the way out.

Next month, ASBOs are to be replaced with a raft of new measures designed to tackle low level crime, with the victim at the heart of the proceedings.

New guidance has been issued by the Home Office ahead of the legislation coming into force, with a number of options partners will be able to use.

Inspector Martyn Sweett, of Wiltshire Police, said: “New anti-social behaviour legislation is going to be coming online in October, which is designed to make things simpler for all the agencies involved, including the police, the council and the health service.

“It is all designed to have victims at the centre of anti-social behaviour legislation.

“There will be much simpler requirements which will help to drive these things forward, and ASBOs will change names as a result.

“My message to everyone is if you are subjected to anti-social behaviour, contact us, so we can record it on our system.”

The new approaches will include community triggers and community remedies, giving victims the right to demand a review of their case and action if required.

They will also have a say in any out of court punishment for perpetrators of crime including graffiti, bullying, dangerous dogs, alcohol and noise complaints.

Home Office guidance in the Anti-social-behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, says: “This new approach includes overhauling the whole system of dealing with anti-social behaviour to ensure agencies are putting the needs of victims first. Victims can feel helpless, bounced from one agency to another and then back again.

“In many cases, the behaviour is targeted against the most vulnerable in our society and even what is perceived as ‘low level’ anti-social behaviour, when targeted and persistent, can have devastating effects on a victim’s life.

“The relevant bodies should work together to agree an appropriate Community Trigger threshold, taking into consideration the nature of anti-social behaviour experienced by victims in their area and working practices of the agencies involved.

“The threshold must be no higher than three complaints of anti-social behaviour in a six months period.

“The new powers will allow the police, councils, social landlords and others to deal with problems quickly.

“However, local agencies should still work together where appropriate to ensure the best results for victims. Each agency brings with it a range of expertise and experience that when brought together can assist in resolving issues more effectively.”

A number of informal interventions will always be considered in the first instance of low level crime, including written or verbal warnings, community resolutions, mediation, or acceptable behaviour contracts.

“Early intervention, especially through informal approaches, can be successful in stopping the anti-social behaviour committed by the majority of perpetrators,” states the new guidance.

“For example, a 2013 HouseMark survey showed that over 80 per cent of anti-social behaviour cases dealt with by social landlords were successfully resolved through some form of early or informal intervention.

“Informal interventions should be considered first in most cases, particularly when dealing with young people, as they can stop bad behaviour before it escalates. This should be determined by professionals on a case by case basis.”

Agencies may be able to apply for a civil injunction in the courts, prohibiting an individual form certain acts. These can be granted against any person over the age of 10.

Replacing anti-social behaviour orders will be criminal behaviour orders and public space protection orders.

Criminal behaviour orders will be last recourse in court for repeat offenders, which includes a scope for more positive long-term resolutions. This will include offences of assault, vandalism, criminal damage, hate crime or verbal abuse. For under 18s they can be given for between one and three years, and for adults for a minimum of two years.

“The potential impact on the victim(s) will be at the heart of the considerations of the terms of the order,” says the guidance. “Stopping the anti-social behaviour is for the benefit of the victim and the CBO is not a punitive measure.”

Further aspects of the new schemes include new powers to deal with dangerous dogs including ensuring they are kept on leads or banned from certain areas, and the extension to temporary dispersal orders to a maximum of 48 hours.

Some notable cases in 16 years

SINCE 1998, Swindon has seen many ASBOs imposed and subsequently breached.

Here are some notable cases from the 16-year ASBO era.
Christopher White, the first youngster to get an ASBO in the town, was jailed earlier this year at the age of 26 for two years and two months after blackmailing a pensioner who allowed his girlfriend to perform a sex act on him.

In 2007 a Penhill councillor spoke out after a 15-year-old boy in the area was not sanctioned with the legislation until he had commited 17 various offences in the area.

On occasion the orders have been successful. 

In 2007, 13-year-old Rebecca Ball, one of the youngest in the town to be subject to an ASBO, admitted the six-month order had stopped her from getting into worse trouble.

Meanwhile, other subject sof the orders have been repeat offenders.
In 2008, ‘crying boy’ Wayne Rose was given his third ASBO after becoming notorious for conning people out of money at Swindon train station with convincing sob stories.

In 2010 Sarah Cummings, of Covingham, became subject to one of the orders after constantly abusing the 999 emergency number and causing misery for her neighbours.

She then breached the order the very next day by calling the ambulance service to a false alarm at her home, and the following month she assaulted an ambulance worker.

Earlier this year, 31-year-old Terri-Lee Pearce was backed in court by an 88-year-old after breaching an order banning her from his home and preventing him from giving her money in exchange for services.

In February, Duncan Tanguay was arrested for causing trouble on a Swindon bus just hours after being given an ASBO for public order offences in the town.

Just last month, Christopher Stent was handed an anti-social behaviour injunction banning him from going within 100 yards of his grandfathers house in Stratton after concerns about him being in possession of a shotgun at the home.

And town centre beggar Ian Pounds has repeatedly been before the courts for breaching the terms of his ASBO preventing him for entering the town centre or any gambling premises around the town.

He was given his first order in 2009 to keep him from the town centre but has been in custody for breaches since that time.