Politics · United Kingdom · 15 hrs ago
England and Wales introduce Respect Orders for persistent adult offenders
The government has introduced Respect Orders for persistent adult offenders in England and Wales.
Police, councils and other agencies can seek orders for behaviour such as harassment, street drinking, littering and drug use.
They can impose restrictions including town centre bans and curfews, as well as unlimited fines and community work.
Courts can also order rehab or anger management when offending is linked to drugs, alcohol or anger.
The orders apply only to adults, unlike the former ASBOs, which could apply from age 10.
Breaking an order is a criminal offence and can bring up to two years in prison.
The government says the new powers are intended to help communities feel safer, and authorities can use them from today.
Respect Orders took effect on 26 October in England and Wales for persistent adult offenders.
Police, councils and other authorised agencies can seek restrictions including curfews and town centre bans.
Courts can impose unlimited fines and community sanctions, and can order rehabilitation or anger management in some cases.
Breaching an order is a criminal offence punishable by up to two years in prison.
The Government says the orders are intended to help communities tackle anti-social behaviour.
- Who
- Adult persistent offenders are subject to the orders. Police, councils and other authorised agencies can seek them.
- What
- Respect Orders allow restrictions such as curfews and town centre bans, as well as fines and community sanctions.
- When
- They took effect on 26 October 2026.
- Where
- England and Wales.
- Why
- The Government says the orders are intended to tackle anti-social behaviour and help communities feel safe.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Labour government introduced Anti-social Behaviour Orders.
ASBOs were scrapped following legal challenges.
Respect Orders took effect in England and Wales.
- Eligible people
- Adult offenders
- Maximum prison term for breach
- Up to two years
- Restrictions
- Curfews and town centre bans
- Possible court orders
- Rehab programmes or anger management classes
- Coverage
- England and Wales
3 sources
What people are saying
We shouldn't tolerate it, we shouldn't accept it.
Unchecked, anti-social behaviour blights our communities. But it is not inevitable and I won't accept it.
will help immensely