Other solutions for antisocial behaviour
This content applies to England only.
Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland
Although Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) are the most well-known court orders for tackling antisocial behaviour, other solutions may be more appropriate.
Acceptable behaviour contracts
An acceptable behaviour contract (ABC) is a voluntary agreement between the person who is behaving antisocially and any other relevant people (for example, the police, the council or social workers). They are sometimes called acceptable behaviour agreements.
The main aim of an ABC is to help the person who is behaving antisocially to understand how their behaviour affects other people, and hopefully to stop it. In many cases, support can be provided to help them to do so.
ABCs are meant to be flexible and informal so that they can be adapted to suit all sorts of situations. For example, they could be used to stop an adult playing loud music or to help parents make sure their children aren't causing problems for neighbours.
You can't be forced into an ABC. You have to agree to it. Don't sign anything you're not happy about or can't stick to. If you feel that you'd like someone to help you get your point across, or even if you just need some moral support, contact a local advice centre. Use our directory to find one.
Family Intervention Tenancies
Councils and housing associations can give family intervention tenancies to any existing tenants who have been evicted as a result of their antisocial behaviour, or those who could be at risk of eviction because of it.
The tenants are put on probation, normally for between 6 months and 1 year (although in some cases it can be for 2 years), and during this time they are given behavioural support services. At the end of the probation period the tenant can either be evicted or given a new tenancy.
Solutions for children
If children are guilty of antisocial behaviour or harassment, not all solutions are available, or approporiate. But there are special solutions that only apply to children. As well as the solutions explained here, there may be other local schemes run by the council or voluntary agencies areas where antisocial behaviour is a particular problem.
Child safety orders
These are court orders which appoint a social worker to supervise a child under the age of 10 who has behaved in an antisocial way. Support is usually provided to the family as well.
Child Safety orders can last up to 12 months in exceptional circumstances. If a child fails to comply with the terms of the order, s/he could be taken into care.
Child curfews
Child curfews ban children under the age of 10 from being in a public place between nine pm and six am, unless they are supervised by their parents or a responsible adult.
In areas where these schemes exist, the police can take any child who is out after curfew home. If this happens, social services would be informed and would visit the family within 48 hours to assess whether any further action is needed.
Dispersal of groups
The police have the power to disperse groups of two or more people under the age of 16 who are behaving antisocially in public spaces. This power can only be used in areas where antisocial behaviour has been identified as a serious problem by the police and the local council.
Parenting orders
If a child is behaving in an antisocial way, a parenting order can sometimes help. A parenting order may tell the parent of a child under the age of 17 who has behaved in an antisocial way to:
- take part in a parenting programme
- improve parental control (eg by taking the child to school every day).
Parenting orders are meant to help and support parents when their children get into trouble. However, it is a criminal offence if you don't do what the order says. If you break a parenting order, you could be fined or even go to prison. Parenting orders are often made at the same time as an antisocial behaviour order is made against the child. They last for up to 12 months.
Solutions for animals
It is illegal to keep many wild animals and some breeds of dog. People keeping farm animals have to keep to a number of rules about animal welfare. Cruelty to animals is a criminal offence. This will include neglecting pets, or keeping pets in an overcrowded or dirty state.
Solutions where mental health is an issue
If you believe that a person who is behaving antisocially or harassing you has mental health problems, tell the police or council when you report their behaviour. The person may be able to get extra support in the community or be admitted to hospital. If necessary, they can even be compelled to go to hospital for assessment or treatment.
