Lisa Nandy MP: new Government powers to tackle anti-social behaviour

From this week, new Respect Orders will come into effect, giving Wigan Council and local authorities across the country stronger powers to tackle repeat adult offenders and make our streets and neighbourhoods safer.

This Labour government is making streets and neighbourhoods safer by enhancing and strengthening powers available to the police, local authorities and other partners to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Respect Orders are a new behavioural order, designed to help police, local authorities and housing associations take more effective action against relentless offenders whose ASB is impacting local neighbourhoods.

The order enables courts to ban adult offenders from engaging in specified activities relating to their ASB – for example, public drinking on a particular high street.

Respect Orders can also include positive requirements which compel individuals to take action to address behaviours, like undertaking drug or alcohol treatment.

Breach of a Respect Order will be a criminal offence and perpetrators could face arrests, fines, community sentences and, in the most serious cases, prison sentences of up to two years.

They fill a significant gap in the previous ASB powers, giving local agencies stronger enforcement capability to tackle the most relentless adult ASB offenders and provide relief to affected communities and victims.

Respect Orders are part of the Government’s flagship Crime and Policing Act.

The Act represents the biggest package of measures on crime and policing for decades, with new laws to cut crime and make our streets safer.

Persistent anti-social behaviour can have a real impact on people’s quality of life, leaving residents feeling frustrated and unable to enjoy their local high streets and public spaces.

I know from my conversations with local residents the challenges posed to our communities from both anti-social behaviour and drugs.

Increasingly these are also problems that are moving out of the town centre and into surrounding neighbourhoods.

This is not something that people should simply have to put up with alongside the belief that there is nothing that can be done.

Respect Orders are a welcome step forward, giving local authorities more effective ways to intervene when individuals ignore the rules and disrupt life for others.

It is right that those responsible are held accountable, and that there are opportunities to help people change their behaviour where this can make a difference.

Only by giving people hope that their concerns can and will be answered can we restore belief that Government can make a positive difference.

I will continue to work with local partners, both at Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Police, to ensure residents’ concerns are heard and that our communities get the support and action they need to tackle anti-social behaviour.