The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill sets out a legislative framework that underpins the Government's determination to tackle anti-social behaviour as set out in the White Paper 'Respect and Responsibility: Taking a stand against anti-social behaviour'. This new agenda calls for a culture change, a 'something for something' society in which the rights citizens enjoy are based on the responsibilities they have towards each other, their families and their communities. Main features of the Bill: Widen the use of Fixed Penalty Notices - e.g noise nuisance, truancy, graffiti - and apply them to 16-17 year olds. Develop a package of support and sanctions to enable parents to prevent and tackle anti-social behaviour by their children. Close down 'crack houses'. Restrict the use of air weapons and replica guns. Ban air cartridge weapons that are easily converted to fire live ammunition. Make it an offence to sell spray paints to under 18s and stronger powers for local authorities to tackle fly-tipping, graffiti and fly-posting. Widen powers to shut down establishments that create noise nuisance. Ensure that courts consider the impact of anti-social behaviour on the wider community in all housing possession cases. Improve the operation of Anti-social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).

British Crime Survey data for the 12 months to April 2002, highlighted the need for tough measures to tackle anti-social behaviour. A third of people cited anti-social behaviour problems such as rubbish, vandalism and 'teenagers hanging around' as a very or fairly big problem. The proposals in this White Paper include legislative and other measures. The Government announced in the Queen's Speech that it was to bring forward an Anti-Social Behaviour Bill during this session of Parliament. These measures will build on the Government's ongoing work to reform the police service and criminal justice system, and put record numbers of police on the streets. Anti-social behaviour means different things to different people – noisy neighbours who ruin the lives of those around them, 'crack houses' run by drug dealers, drunken 'yobs' taking over town centres, people begging by cash-points, abandoned cars, litter and graffiti, young people using airguns to threaten and intimidate or people using fireworks as weapons. Anti-social behaviour creates an environment in which more serious crime takes hold. It can occur anywhere – in people's homes and gardens, on estates, in town centres or shopping parades and in urban and rural areas. It blights people's lives, undermines the fabric of society and holds back regeneration. This White Paper is a response to these problems. It outlines the need for a cultural shift from a society where too many people are living with the consequences of anti-social behaviour, to a society where we respect each other, our property and our shared public spaces. This White Paper aims to contribute towards a society where we have an understanding that the rights we all enjoy are based in turn on the respect and responsibilities we have to other people and to our community. The White Paper puts the focus for combating anti-social behaviour on: People taking responsibility for their own actions and behaving in a way that does not harass or intimidate others. Intervention and support being provided to parents and children where their dysfunctional behaviour is ruining other people's lives. The community setting clear standards of behaviour. The police, local authorities and others enforcing these standards and taking swift, effective action if they are breached. The perpetrators of anti-social behaviour being held accountable for their actions to those they have affected. A duty is owed to the victims of anti-social behaviour to ensure that they know that perpetrators have been brought to justice. Anti-Social Behaviour Bill Measures to be included in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill £75 million over the next three years to support the drive to tackle anti-social behaviour. Dealing with 'neighbours from hell' – making it easier for local authorities to fine noisy neighbours £100 and confiscate stereos; put local authority tenants 'on probation' which demotes them automatically, ends their 'right to buy' and makes it easier to evict them. Consulting on powers to introduce housing benefit sanctions to help tackle anti-social behaviour, and giving local authorities greater powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in properties owned by private sector landlords. New powers for environmental health officers to close down noisy premises. Giving the police powers to close and seal crack houses within forty eight hours for up to three months. Giving the police the power to designate areas, in consultation with local authorities, where they can disperse intimidating gangs of youths and take home unaccompanied young children out late at night. Dealing with parents who do not control their disorderly children - firstly through offering support, then if needed through compulsion - parenting orders, fixed penalty notices, residential parenting classes and ultimately intensive fostering. Tackling aggressive beggars, who intimidate and harass people and create fear in public places. Begging, already a criminal offence, will become a recordable offence, helping to tackle serious crime and enabling more effective sentences for those who require treatment for drug misuse. Extending fixed penalty notices to disorderly 16 and 17 year olds. Removing automatic newspaper reporting restrictions on young people subject to anti-social behaviour orders, to send a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and to enable local people to identify breaches. Banning air weapons and replica guns in public places and increasing the age limit for owning air guns from 14 to 17. Banning the sale of spray paints to under 18s and more robust powers for local authorities to deal with graffiti, litter, fly-tipping and fly-posting. Full support for a Private Members Bill to restrict the sale and misuse of fireworks. This article is Crown Copyright and was reproduced with the permission of Crime Reduction Unit. Download this White Paper PDF 569Kb.