An update on the proposed Crime & Policing Bill & More…
In this weeks edition:
- An update on the Crime & Policing Bill
- ASB In The News
- Your Regulatory Round Up
- Newcastle City Council Closure Orders Case Study
- This Weeks Top Tip & Last Minute Webinar Invitation
- Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
An Update On The Crime & Policing Bill
As the Crime & Policing Bill 2025 continues its progress through Parliament, several new amendments have now been tabled following this week’s second reading – many of which directly relate to the proposed Respect Orders and broader ASB enforcement powers.
Here’s what’s new:
The amendments include a reduction in the minimum age for receiving a Respect Order (from 18 to 16), as well as strengthened penalties for repeat breaches – including custodial sentences of up to five years. There are also proposals to link Respect Orders more closely with housing law, for example by:
- Adding Respect Orders to the absolute ground for possession.
- Enabling those subject to a Respect Order to be deprioritised on housing waiting lists.
- Amending the Localism Act to allow refusal of a tenancy grant or surrender based on the existence of a Respect Order.
In addition, several proposed changes aim to align the definitions of ASB across the tools to include both harassment, alarm or distress and nuisance or annoyance (depending on whether the behaviour is housing related, as per the definition in the Crime and Policing Bill).
There’s also a proposal to amend Section 50 of the Police Reform Act to allow officers to compel a person to provide their name and address if they are suspected of housing-related ASB.
These proposed amendments could have significant implications for how ASB is enforced, particularly across housing settings. To read the full document click here
Thank you to everyone that responded to our ASB Roundtable survey developed with JUSTICE in the last week. Your feedback will help shape our formal response to government – we will share with you all of the updates as the bill progresses. The government have also put out a call for evidence in relation to the Bill, should you wish to submit a response you can click here.
ASB In The News
Has a case that you’ve been part of hit the headlines this week? Check out the latest from across the UK where ASB has been in the news…
- Dorset – Weymouth antisocial behaviour down by 40 per cent in five years
Read now - Cornwall – PSPO issued in Plymouth to tackle ASB in a local park
Read now - Leicester – City Mayor approves new tools to tackle anti-social behaviour in Leicester
Read now - Bristol – Rise in anti-social behaviour in Keynsham town centre
Read now - Surrey – Dispersal orders issued over fears of anti-social behaviour at Surrey car meets.
Read now - Worcestershire – Redditch tenants handed court orders after anti-social behaviour.
Read now - Lincolnshire – Closure order issued over anti-social behaviour.
Read now - Edinburgh – Edinburgh officers to patrol city centre amid rise in youth anti-social behaviour.
Read now - Falkirk – Police success in tackling Linlithgow’s anti-social behaviour.
Read now - Essex – Crackdown order on anti-social behaviour extended.
Read now - Hertfordshire – Closure order for Hemel Hempstead house linked to drug use and anti-social behaviour.
Read now - Peterborough – Police close Wisbech flats following concerns over violence, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.
Read now
Your Regulatory Round Up
Huge congratulations to our clients who were awarded a C1 by the Regulator of Social Housing last week. At Green & Burton ASB Associates, we always keep up to date on the findings relating to the Neighbourhood and Consumer Standard.
Key themes arising from these latest inspections include:
- Demonstrating strong partnership working with external agencies to deter and tackle ASB
- Using customer feedback to shape and develop ASB services
- Providing opportunities for residents to scrutinise ASB performance – including via tools like mystery shopping
- Having clear safeguarding protocols in place to support those affected by ASB
- Implementing systems to assess the effectiveness of ASB interventions and responses
These themes highlight the growing regulatory focus on transparency, resident involvement, and evidencing what works – not just what is done.
Newcastle City Council Closure Orders Case Study
This week we’re spotlighting the work of Amy Martin and the Safe Living Team at Newcastle City Council, who , working in close partnership with Northumbria Police, secured three full closure orders on properties linked to dangerous drug-related activity.
This impactful case study demonstrates how strong intelligence sharing, swift legal action, and a joined-up response can protect communities and remove serious harm from neighbourhoods. It’s a powerful example of how housing teams can play a critical role in disrupting organised crime and ensuring resident safety.
Read the full article to explore what was done, the outcomes achieved, and the learning shared for other areas tackling similar issues.
Top Tip – Good Neighbourhood Management Policies
This week’s top tip comes from partner Janine Green… Good Neighbourhood Management Policies can assist with more than management of noise reports. They can also prove effective for situations such as nuisance arising from health issues, neighbour disputes or other behaviours which don’t meet the threshold to be reasonably dealt with under an ASB policy.
A well-crafted policy (that is embedded into practice) will:
Give officers the guidance and confidence to make difficult decisions
- Empower residents to know the action likely to be taken and the reasons for any limitations
- Focus on the true root cause and the solutions likely to bring about the most positive outcomes for all parties
- Encourage communication, compromise and understanding, creating strong communities
- Evidence the organisation’s decision making in the event of external scrutiny.
We have no doubt these types of policies will play a part in the discussions at our free webinar week, focussing on managing reports of prescription cannabis use in residential properties. Sign up to be part of the conversation:
Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
This week’s update includes a closer look at the latest amendments proposed to the Crime & Policing Bill, several of which directly affect housing-led responses to ASB. While things are still evolving, it’s important we continue to consider the practical implications these changes may have on day-to-day casework.
A big thank you to Amy Martin and the Safe Living Team at Newcastle City Council for submitting their case study to us. It highlights a strong multi-agency approach to tackling serious harm and sets out how closure powers can be used effectively where organised criminality is involved.
Our top tip this week focuses on Good Neighbourhood Management Policies – and how they can support officers and residents in cases that don’t meet the ASB threshold but still require a clear, proportionate response. A well-framed policy can bring clarity and consistency, particularly in the grey areas we all navigate. Hopefully we will see you at this weeks webinar – we will of course share the recording with you next week if you are not able to join the session live. A big thank you to our sponsor CMSG who has made it possible to host this webinar at zero cost to you.
Have a great week!
Janine & Darren