Tools and powers
Informal Interventions
A verbal or written warning
In deciding whether to use a verbal or written warning, the police, council, or housing officer should be satisfied that there is evidence that ASB has occurred or is likely to occur. The warning should clearly identify the behaviour, explain why it is unacceptable, outline its impact, and set out the consequences of non-compliance.
A community resolution
Community resolutions help resolve less harmful offences or instances of ASB. This is through an informal agreement between the parties involved as opposed to progression through the criminal justice process. They can be used with young people or adults and allows the police to respond proportionately, considering the needs of the victim, the perpetrator, and the wider community.
Mediation
In appropriate circumstances, mediation can be an effective way of resolving an issue by bringing all parties together. This can be effective in resolving neighbour disputes, family conflicts, lifestyle differences such as noise nuisance complaints and similar situations.
Acceptable Behaviour Agreement
An acceptable behaviour contract or agreement is a written agreement between a perpetrator of ASB and the agency or agencies acting locally to prevent that behaviour.
Support
The ASB powers allow professionals to respond to the underlying causes of ASB for example through positive requirements attached to a Respect Order, Housing Injunction, Youth Injunction or Criminal Behaviour Order. However, providing positive support does not have to wait for formal court action. They can be given as part of any informal intervention. For example, by providing support around overcoming substance misuse or alcohol dependency that may be linked to the person’s ASB.
Formal Interventions
Respect Order
To stop or prevent those who are 18 or over engaging in ASB, putting a stop to these behaviours before they escalate.
Housing Injunction
To stop or prevent perpetrators engaging in housing-related ASB quickly, stopping problems before they escalate.
Youth Injunction
To stop or prevent those aged 10-17 engaging in antisocial behaviour quickly, nipping problems in the bud before they escalate.
Criminal Behaviour Order
Issued by any criminal court against a person who has been convicted of an offence to tackle the most persistently antisocial individuals who are also engaged in criminal activity
Dispersal Power
Requires a person committing or likely to commit ASB, crime, or disorder to leave an area for up to 72 hours.
Community Protection Notice
To stop a person aged 16 or over, business or organisation committing ASB which spoils the community’s quality of life.
Public Spaces Protection Order
Designed to stop individuals or groups committing ASB in a public space.
Expedited Public Spaces Protection Order
Designed to allow local authorities to take rapid action to protect those who work at and use schools, vaccination sites and NHS Test and Trace/Test, Trace, Protect sites, from the harm that some protests targeting these sites have been able to cause.
Closure Power
To allow the police or council to close premises quickly which are being used, or likely to be used, to commit nuisance or disorder.
Absolute Grounds for Possession
The 2014 Act introduced a new absolute (‘mandatory’) ground for possession of secure and assured tenancies where ASB or criminality has already been proven by another court.
Further information about the ASB tools and powers available can be found at ASB statutory guidance 2026.