Anti-Social Behaviour and the Law
Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC)
 An ABC is used to deal with low level anti-social
behaviour
It is a contract which is signed by the young person and
their parents/carers
The behaviour contract sets out what the young person
will change about their behaviour
If the young person does not keep to the contract it can
be used as evidence towards an Anti-Social Behaviour
Order. (ASBO)
Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBC)
An ASBO is a court order
It prohibits a young person from particular acts of anti-social
behaviour
An ASBO can be issued to anyone over the age of 10 years
It can be applied for by the police and/or a local authority
An ASBO is issued for a minimum of two years
An ASBO is meant to protect the public not to punish the
perpetrator
An ASBO is a civil order not a criminal penalty
Dispersal Orders
The police can designate an area to be under a Dispersal Order in
agreement with the local authority
A Dispersal Order can last up to six months
The Dispersal Order area can be small, (the outside of a shop), or
large a complete neighbourhood
To impose a dispersal Order there has to be evidence of antisocial behaviour
The police can exclude people from an area for up to 24 hours
The police can take someone under the age of 16 home after 9pm
if they are not in the care of a responsible adult. It is an offence to
refuse
How can an ASBO change your life?
An ASBO does not give you a criminal record
A breach of an ASBO is a criminal offence and the young person
can be given a fine and even imprisonment
If you breach an ASBO you will have a criminal record
Police keep a record of final warnings and convictions on the
Police National Computer
This means that a CRB check made on a person can block them
from certain work and travel possibilities
What can a final warning or a conviction stop you doing?
You may not be accepted for certain training opportunities or jobs
•Pharmacist
•Solicitor
•Teacher
•Health professional
•Prison officer
•Working with vulnerable groups e.g. old people, under 18s
•Police officer
•The armed forces
You may not get a visa to travel to another country on holiday
You won’t be automatically refused, but it will be far more
difficult to achieve!
Can you explain what an Acceptable Behaviour Contract is?
Can you explain what an Anti-social Behaviour Order is?
What power do the police use to address low-level anti-social behaviour?
At what age can a young person be given an ASBO?
Who is the ASBO designed to protect?
Can you explain what a Dispersal Order is?
Can you get a criminal record from having an ASBO?