NEW powers are being introduced in response to anti-social behaviour.
Leicestershire Police and partner agencies - including Leicester City Council, other local authorities and housing providers - will now be able to use Respect Orders. These are new civil powers aimed at tackling persistent anti-social behaviour.
Respect Orders, launching on 26 October, give police and partners additional powers to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour. Respect Orders can place restrictions on an adult’s behaviour and may also include positive requirements – such as attendance at drug or alcohol treatment, anger-management sessions or another suitable programme aimed at reducing further anti-social behaviour.
Respect Orders will be considered carefully, based on the circumstances of each case, the available evidence and the risks involved. Those subject to an order can be arrested if they are suspected of breaching the conditions of the order. Any breach is then dealt with as a criminal offence.
Superintendent Stephen Bunn, ASB Lead for Leicestershire Police, said: “We know that anti-social behaviour can have a serious and lasting impact on victims, families and the community.
“Respect Orders give us and our partners another important tool to tackle those who repeatedly cause harm. By working together, we can take robust action while addressing the causes of offending and helping make our neighbourhoods safer.
“These new orders build on the work already underway through our ASB Action Plan, which includes targeted patrols in hotspot areas, early intervention and problem-solving, and better support for repeat and vulnerable victims.”
Nicola Odom, head of safer communities at Leicester City Council said: "We welcome these new powers and have been working with Leicestershire Police to ensure we can take full advantage of them when they are launched.
"Our Public Safety Protection Order (PSPO) team is already reducing anti-social behaviour in the city centre using the powers provided by the PSPO. The Respect Orders will enable us to deal with persistent offenders and to ensure they get the support they need to change their behaviour, which is available but often refused."
Respect Orders are part of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 and are launching across England and Wales. More information can be found in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 anti-social behaviour factsheet on GOV.UK.