What You Need To Know About The New Crime & Policing Bill & More…
In This Edition:
- The Introduction Of The Crime and Policing Bill
- ASB In The News
- Introducing Aisha Akhtar To The Team
- APCC Findings Report On Local Partnerships Systems
- March Training Schedule
- Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
Crime and Policing Bill Introduced to Parliament – Key ASB Proposals Explained
The Crime and Policing Bill 2025 is being introduced to Parliament this week, setting out a range of measures aimed at tackling crime, strengthening enforcement powers, and improving community safety. Among the proposals are new civil orders for ASB, changes to existing legal tools, and a renewed focus on enforcement and prevention.
For all of us working in the world of ASB, these proposals could bring significant changes to how cases are managed and enforced… So understanding the proposed Respect Orders, changes to ASB Injunctions, and expanded Closure Powers for social landlords is essential. Partner Janine has provided this helpful summary of the Bill to give a clear breakdown of the key proposals, what they could mean in practice, and the questions we should be asking as the legislation progresses through Parliament.
Key ASB Measures in the Crime and Policing Bill
The Crime and Policing Bill essentially splits the Part 1 ASB injunction into 3 legal tools:
- A Respect Order for anyone aged 18 or older who’s behaviour is capable of causing harassment, alarm or distress (to the civil standard of proof)
- A Youth Injunction for anyone under 18 who’s behaviour is causing or likely to cause nuisance or annoyance (to the civil standard of proof)
- A Housing Injunction for anyone aged 18 or older who’s behaviour is capable of causing nuisance and annoyance in a residential setting (to the civil standard of proof)
NB: It is important to note the difference with this Housing Injunction is that it can apply regardless of tenure, meaning Police and Local Authority can use it in the private sector. The Housing Act 1996 injunction which was replaced by the Part 1 ASB Injunction in the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014 was for social housing providers only.
All 3 orders could be applied for by the Police, Local Authority and a (non profit) Registered Provider of Social Housing.
Also of note is that no amendments to the absolute ground for possession are currently proposed, meaning a breach of Respect Order would not trigger the ability to use the mandatory ASB ground.
Closure Powers Extended to Social Landlords
- Social landlords would now be able to apply directly for closure orders.
- Designed to speed up enforcement action against persistent ASB in social housing.
Potential impact: This could give landlords more autonomy in tackling high-harm ASB but will still require strong partnership working with Police and other relevant agencies
Strengthening the ASB Case Review (Community Trigger)
- If an ASB Case Review request is declined, the decision can now be escalated to a Local Policing Body (LPB) review.
- In some cases, an automatic LPB review will be triggered, ensuring further scrutiny of how ASB cases are handled.
What this means: This could increase accountability in ASB case management—reinforcing the need for clear record-keeping and evidence-based decisions.
Extended Dispersal and Penalty Powers
- Dispersal Orders can now be issued for up to 72 hours, with a mandatory review after 48 hours.
- Fines for breaching CPNs and PSPOs will increase to £500, reflecting a tougher stance on enforcement.
Key question: Will increased fines and longer dispersal periods act as an effective deterrent, or do they need to be paired with long-term prevention strategies?
Beyond ASB – Other Key Proposals in the Bill
Alongside these ASB-focused measures, the bill also introduces new criminal offences aimed at tackling exploitation and serious harm:
- Cuckooing Offence – Criminalising the takeover of vulnerable people’s homes for illegal activity, with a maximum five-year prison sentence.
- Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) Offence – Targeting those who groom or coerce children into crime, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years.
- CCE Prevention Orders – Allowing courts to place restrictions on individuals suspected of exploiting children, with breaches punishable by up to five years in prison.
- Spiking Offence – Making spiking a specific criminal offence, with a maximum 10-year sentence.
What Happens Next?
As the Crime and Policing Bill moves through Parliament, we will all be keen to understand how these changes will impact our day-to-day case management, enforcement decisions, and multi-agency collaboration. What you are probably thinking…
- Will Respect Orders streamline enforcement or add complexity?
- Will restricting ASB Injunctions to housing settings leave gaps in enforcement?
- How will expanded Closure Powers for social landlords play out in practice?
At Green & Burton ASB Associates we have been busy organising a joint roundtable with JUSTICE. In the absence of formal public consultation, we are bringing together a group of practitioners to debate the proposals and provide evidence to Parliament, making sure the experiences of frontline practitioners are heard. Spaces for the round table are now full, but don’t worry, we plan to share a summary of discussions electronically so our wider network can contribute – look out for further editions of our newsletter for more on this.
ASB In The News
This week’s ASB headlines echo familiar themes seen in recent weeks, with a continued focus on enforcement action, targeted investment, and the importance of early intervention. From closure orders to funding initiatives, the drive to tackle ASB remains a priority across the country.
Here’s a roundup of this week’s key stories:
- Darlington – ASB impacts local social club as the community reports ongoing disruptive behaviour. Read Now
- Basingstoke – Police issue dispersal orders in response to persistent ASB. Read Now
- Lancashire – £235,000 secured to tackle ASB and support community safety efforts. Read Now
- Gwent – Property boarded up after reports of ASB and drug dealing. Read Now
- Hillingdon – Council secures closure orders for flats linked to ASB. Read Now
- South Wales – ASB on the rise around railways, with a reported 10% increase. Read Now
- Isle of Wight – Concerns over ASB and weed smoking at a nature reserve. Read Now
- Chesterfield – Property closed following significant ASB issues. Read Now
- Nottinghamshire – New £130,000 CCTV van deployed to support ASB enforcement. Read Now
- Westminster – Labour announces recruitment of eight City Inspectors as part of an ASB crackdown. Read Now
- Wiltshire – Closure orders issued due to drug use and ASB. Read Now
- Colchester – Library set for new doors to combat ASB issues. Read Now
- Norwich – Ber Street garden space continues to struggle with ASB. Read Now
While the headlines change, the themes remain consistent – enforcement, prevention, investment, and community engagement are vital to tackling persistent ASB and supporting safer communities. These stories highlight the ongoing challenges faced across the UK and the importance of strong multi-agency approaches to make a lasting impact.
Introducing Aisha Akhtar To The Team
Aisha Akhtar is a social housing law expert with over 15 years’ experience, having qualified as a Solicitor in 2009. Her background spans local government, housing associations and private practice. Since joining Sovereign Network Group as the in-house housing law expert in October 2017, she has shown an unwavering passion for social housing and expertise in tackling ASB.
Aisha has been instrumental in developing policies, crafting strategies and delivering training programmes nationwide, empowering communities along the way. She also lends her expertise as a member of the Law Society’s Housing Law Committee, serves on the board of Ekaya Housing in South London, and mentors emerging talent through the Legal Guides mentoring scheme.
We’re thrilled to welcome Aisha as our newest team member and already have her busy with NSP training and Injunction training!
APCC Findings Report On Local Partnerships Systems Is Published
The recently published “Towards Better Local Partnerships” APCC Report 2025 highlights the vital role that partnerships play in reducing crime and improving community safety. However, while the intention behind multi-agency working is positive, the report sheds light on the many challenges that can limit its effectiveness.
Key Themes for ASB Practitioners:
- Partnerships are Essential – But Can Be Complex: Working together sounds great in theory, but in practice, it often means navigating a maze of overlapping responsibilities and competing priorities. For ASB professionals, this can translate into attending numerous meetings that sometimes feel more like “talking shops” than real problem-solving opportunities.
- The Strain on Resources is Real: The report acknowledges that partnership work is resource-intensive. Staff turnover, multiple local authorities, and limited bandwidth for senior decision-makers can make it tough to achieve real impact. This is a sentiment many of us in ASB know all too well.
- Data Sharing Woes: Despite the critical importance of data sharing in effective partnership working, there’s still a lack of confidence around GDPR, legal gateways, and standardised approaches. Improving data sharing could be a game-changer for ASB case management, enabling us to identify trends and coordinate responses more effectively.
- Reducing Duplication: The report highlights a common issue – too many groups discussing the same issues across multiple meetings. This creates inefficiencies and can prevent partnership working from achieving its full potential.
- Support for Statutory Backing: There’s strong support for giving PCCs statutory oversight of local partnerships to ensure better coordination and more efficient working. This could bring more consistency to how we tackle complex issues like ASB.
For ASB professionals, this report serves as a reminder that while effective partnership working is essential, it must be underpinned by strong coordination, clear communication, and efficient processes. Addressing these challenges will be key to delivering sustainable improvements in community safety and ASB management.
The March Training Schedule – Time To Upskill Your Team
This March we have programmed a range of practical training sessions designed to equip ASB practitioners with the knowledge and skills they need to handle complex cases, resolve community issues, and deliver positive outcomes.
Whether it’s mastering case management, understanding legal powers, or effectively dealing with neighbour disputes and noise complaints, our courses offer practical learning to empower your team.
Invest in your team’s professional growth this month and ensure they have the tools to tackle ASB challenges with confidence.
Coming Up This March:
- 3 March (Morning): Introduction to ASB Case Management
- 3 March (Afternoon): Introduction to the ASB Toolkit
- 12 March: Level 2 ASB Case Management Principles (Accredited)
- 13 March (Morning): Managing Neighbour Disputes
- 13 March (Afternoon): Non-ASB Noise Reports
- 18 March: Drafting Effective Civil Witness Statements
- 25 March: Advanced Guide to ASB Injunctions
Secure your team’s place today – an invoice payment gateway is available:
Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
Another busy week in the world of ASB, with the key development of the introduction of the Crime and Policing Bill to Parliament this week bringing renewed attention to ASB enforcement. With proposed measures such as the Respect Orders and potential changes to ASB injunctions sparking particular interest and debate – there is a lot for us to consider with these proposals. While new legislative tools can strengthen responses to ASB, there are still questions around how these measures will work in practice and what gaps they are truly filling, and we are really keen to get your views and perspectives on this…
We’ll be exploring these issues further at our upcoming roundtable with JUSTICE, ensuring that frontline practitioners have a voice in shaping the conversation.
The APCC’s newly published findings on local partnership systems have also generated important reflections this week. The challenges around resource strains, data sharing, and duplication of effort are concerns that many ASB professionals will recognise. We know that effective partnership working is essential, but for it to make a real impact, it needs to be strategic, coordinated, and outcome-driven – not just another box-ticking exercise.
On a really positive note, we’re excited to share that plans for the #ASB11 Conference are coming together! We’ve secured some fantastic speakers and sponsor support, and we’re looking forward to this year’s theme: Partnerships. The official event launch is just around the corner, so watch this space! Don’t forget, mailing list subscribers can access the super early bird rate – make sure you secure your place here
As we step into March and the arrival of spring, it’s the perfect time to prioritise professional development for you and your team. Our latest training schedule is packed with practical, expert-led sessions covering key aspects of ASB case management, equipping officers with the tools and confidence to manage cases effectively. With the financial year-end approaching, this could be a great opportunity to make the most of any remaining budget. Take a look at the full schedule and secure your places today – and don’t forget we can organise in-house programmes for your whole team if you know there is an area where you have a number of colleagues that could benefit from our training.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this week’s updates – let’s keep the conversation going by tagging us on LinkedIn or hitting reply to this email.
Have a great week,
Janine & Darren