'Antisocial' behaviors could merit 2-year prison terms in the UK
"Respect orders will give police and councils the powers they need to crack down on repeated antisocial behaviour."
by: Jessica Barshis 11/22/2024
These proposed "respect orders" would allow police to seize vehicles involved in antisocial behavior immediately including e-scooters being ridden on pavements, and ban offenders from urban centers and parks. It would also give police, councils and social landlords to deal with "hooligans, drug users, street drinkers, fly-tippers, nuisance neighbours and others committing antisocial behaviour," per the outlet.
Anyone who breaches a "respect order" would be committing a criminal offense and would be subject to arrest. Certain perpetrators could be required to attend anger management or drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The maximum sentence would be two years in jail. The Times states that "Courts would also be able to hand out unlimited fines, order offenders to carry out unpaid work or abide by a curfew."
The orders are to be introduced as part of Labour's Crime and Policing bill early next year and will be first implemented in areas saturated with cases of antisocial behavior.
Cooper said the orders would ensure the "most serious offenders are dealt with before their behaviour can escalate and cause further harm."
"Too many town centres and neighbourhoods across our country are being plagued by antisocial behaviour, be it street drinking, harassment or vandalism on the high street or noisy and intimidating off-road bikes terrorising our estates," she said. "Antisocial behaviour chips away at communities’ sense of confidence and pride, undermines local businesses and can have a devastating impact on victims … Respect orders will give police and councils the powers they need to crack down on repeated antisocial behaviour."
