Anti social behaviour
ABC's or Acceptable
Behaviour Contracts
An acceptable behaviour contract (ABC), also known as an
acceptable behaviour agreement, is an intervention designed to
engage the inpidual in recognising their behaviour and its negative
effects on others, in order to stop the offending behaviour.
An ABC is a written agreement between an anti-social
behaviour perpatrator and their local authority, police or
landlord.
ABCs are usually used for young people but can also be used for
adults.
The ABC consists of a list of anti-social acts that the offender
agrees not to continue and outlines the consequences if the
contract is breached.
Contracts usually last for six months but can be renewed if both
parties agree..
ABCs are not legally binding, but can be cited in court as
evidence in ASBO applications or in eviction or possession
proceedings.
ASBO's or
Anti-Social
Behaviour Orders
Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) are court orders which
prohibit the perpetrator from specific anti-social behaviours.
An ASBO can ban an offender from:
- continuing the offending behaviour
- spending time with a particular group of friends
- visiting certain areas
ASBOs are issued for a minimum of two years.
The aim of an ASBO is to protect the public from
the behaviour, rather than to punish the perpetrator.
An ASBO is a civil order, not a criminal penalty – this means it
won’t appear on an inpidual's criminal record. However, a breach of
an ASBO is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or up to five
years in prison.
The community takes charge
An anti-social behaviour order is intended as
a community-based intervention as local
people are involved in:
- collecting evidence
- helping to enforce breaches of the prohibitions in the
order
ASBOs are designed to encourage local communities to become
actively involved in reporting crime and anti-social behaviour,
helping to build and protect the community.
Who can apply for an anti-social behaviour order to be
issued?
Any one of the following agencies can apply for an order:
- Local authorities
- Police Forces and British Transport Police
- Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and Housing Action Trusts
(HATs)
This page was last updated on 11/8/2007