Offenders who breach Respect Orders could face up to two years in jail

Breaching new anti-social behaviour orders will be a criminal offence from next week and can be punishable by up to two years’ jail, the Home Office said.

The new Respect Orders will allow police and councils to take stronger enforcement action, filling a gap in existing anti-social behaviour powers, the Home Office added.

Under tougher new powers coming into force, repeat anti-social behaviour offenders could be banned from town centres, face curfew bans or be ordered to stop drinking in public hotspots including high streets and local parks.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Unchecked, anti-social behaviour blights our communities. But it is not inevitable and I won’t accept it.

“For too long, we have lacked the powers we need to deal with this problem properly. From today, that changes: authorities will be able to take tough action against these offenders.

“This delivers on a commitment we made to the British people in our manifesto. And, most importantly, those who make life a misery for others will now face the consequences of their actions.”

Housing associations and transport networks can apply for a Respect Order, as well as police and local councils.

The orders will only apply to adults, but under-18s can still receive an existing Youth Injunction which includes both prohibitions and requirements.

Catherine Akehurst, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for anti-social behaviour, said: “We welcome the new legislation to introduce Respect Orders which will provide police and partner agencies additional tools to tackle anti-social behaviour which we know can so often undermine a sense of safety in communities, erode pride in neighbourhoods, and diminish overall quality of life.

“This new tool will enable swift enforcement against prolific offenders, while prioritising rehabilitation and support to break cycles of criminal and anti-social behaviour.”

The move comes after it was announced earlier this week that people who play music out loud on buses could face fines of up to £1,000.

The push forms part of a wider crackdown on antisocial behaviour across public transport.

Local authorities are being encouraged to use new powers to levy fines for nuisance behaviour on buses, including littering, vaping and listening to music without headphones.