In this article, Lis Bradshaw looks at the new powers introduced by the Police Reform Act 2002 and in particular:
- The ability for a housing association to apply for an antisocial behaviour order;
- The introduction of an interim order;
- The use of antisocial behaviour order in possession proceedings.
The Police Reform Act 2002 drastically amends who and how an antisocial behaviour orders can now be applied for.
Currently, only local authorities and the Police, in consultation with each other, can apply for an antisocial behaviour order in the Magistrates’ Court against anyone who is 10 or over and is causing, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as himself.
Antisocial behaviour orders are for a minimum duration of 2 years, can exclude someone from a locality and can prohibit certain types of behaviour. Currently, there is no provision for an interim order.
The Police Reform Act 2002, which received Royal Assent on 24 July 2002 and comes into force on 1 December 2002, imposes some significant changes to the current position.
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