Respect Orders Launched with Two Years in Jail if You Breach Them
By Neil Shaw, Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)
People who wreak havoc in towns and neighbourhoods could face up to two years in jail for breaching respect orders launched to crack down on anti-social behaviour. Failing to comply with the orders set out in Labour’s election manifesto will be a criminal offense. Alongside a prison sentence, courts could hand out unlimited fines and order offenders to carry out unpaid work or adhere to a curfew, according to the Home Office.
The Government introduced these measures to ensure the most serious offenders are dealt with promptly to prevent further harm. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the details of the orders, stating that many communities are plagued by anti-social behaviour, which undermines confidence and pride, impacting victims and local businesses. She emphasised the importance of implementing respect orders to give police and councils the power to tackle repeated anti-social behaviour.
These new powers will enable authorities to ban persistent offenders from town centres or public places, like high streets and parks. Offenders who breach their orders can be arrested, attend anger management courses, or undergo rehabilitation treatment for drug and alcohol problems. Additionally, police will have the authority to seize nuisance vehicles without issuing a warning first to address issues like off-road bikes and dangerous e-scooters.
The respect orders are expected to be introduced to Parliament as part of a Crime and Policing Bill, with a trial period planned to assess their effectiveness before being implemented nationwide. The plans aim to replace civil injunction powers for adults with a wider range of penalties. Various public bodies, including social landlords and transport authorities, will be able to apply for respect orders.
Harvinder Saimbhi, chief executive of victim support charity ASB Help, commended the focus on addressing the root causes of anti-social behaviour to reduce reoffending rates. A watchdog emphasized the need for a renewed focus on staffing neighbourhood police teams to improve the identification, recording, and response to such incidents.
In the year leading up to September 2023, approximately one million anti-social behaviour incidents were reported to the police. Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet highlighted that respect orders will empower the police and councils to crack down on persistent offenders, making public spaces safer. The introduction of these measures signifies a concerted effort towards maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of communities.