ASBCPA 2014
Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
Replaced ASBOs with a suite of preventative tools — Community Protection Notices, Public Spaces Protection Orders, Dispersal Powers, and Civil Injunctions/Criminal Behaviour Orders.
Self-test
Sections
Section 35 — Direction to leave a locality (Dispersal Power)
Constable in uniform may direct a person aged 10+ to leave a specified locality and not return for up to 48 hours, where authorised by an officer of inspector rank or above and certain conditions are met.
- Authorisation by inspector+ specifying area and period (max 48 hrs).
- Officer must reasonably suspect behaviour has contributed/likely to contribute to harassment, alarm or distress, OR crime/disorder.
- Failing to comply without reasonable excuse = summary offence (s.39), max 3 months / level 4 fine.
- Power to surrender items used in ASB (s.37).
Section 43 — Community Protection Notices
Authorised person (constable, council officer, designated PCSO) may issue a CPN to anyone aged 16+ whose conduct is having a detrimental effect on the community's quality of life, of a persistent or continuing nature, and unreasonable.
- Written warning required first unless impractical.
- Breach = summary offence — fixed penalty £100 or fine on conviction up to £2,500 (individual) / £20,000 (business).
Section 59 — Public Spaces Protection Orders
Local authority orders restricting specified activities in a public space (e.g., drinking alcohol, dog control, begging). Breach is a summary offence — FPN £100 or fine up to £1,000.
- Constables and authorised council officers can enforce.
- Check the specific PSPO terms — they vary by area.