Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy, Policy and Protocol Guide

Transcription

1 Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy, Policy and Protocol Guide 1

2 Contents 1. Introduction..Page 2 2. Strategic Statements.Page 3 3. The Policy of the Leicestershire Constabulary.Page 4 4. Procedures.Page 4 5. Forms Page Useful Contacts.Page Partnership Support Page 33 2

3 1. Introduction In recent years, Anti Social behaviour issues have been brought into sharp focus both by the Government and the people who are victims of it, who now expect the Police and other agencies to work towards sustainable solutions. Principally, the framework for this is provided by the Force approach to Neighbourhood Policing, which promotes a measured, incremental approach to anti social behaviour, treating local residents as a resource central to the solution. Local, well thought out initiatives, that have the backing of the public and utilise the skills of our partners will serve to reassure the public and instil long term confidence in our communities. This document simply outlines the Strategy of the Leicestershire Constabulary and sets out our protocols based on Local and National good practice. Human Rights Act 1998 The Human Rights Act 1998 has been considered with regard to this policy. Proportionality has been identified as the key to Human Rights compliance. This means striking a fair balance between the rights of the individual and those of the rest of the community. There must be a reasonable relationship between the aim to be achieved and the means used. Data Protection Act 1998 Data Protection issues have been considered with regard to this policy. Adherence to this policy will therefore ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and internal Data Protection policies. Diversity Policies Equality issues have been considered with regard to this policy. Adherence with this policy will therefore ensure compliance with Equality and Diversity legislation and internal Equality and Diversity policies. Freedom of Information Act 2000 Freedom of Information issues have been considered with regard to this policy. Adherence with this policy will therefore ensure compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2002 and internal Freedom of Information policies. Health and Safety Act 1974 Health and safety issues have been considered in relation to this policy but those that the policy concerns should still ensure that they comply with the requirements of the Force Health and Safety Policy Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 This policy has been impact assessed along ACPO guidelines to ensure it complies with this legislation and that no section of society is disadvantaged. 3

4 2. Our Strategy and Strategic Statements The overall aim is to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour. Anti-Social behaviour includes a range of behaviour covering a whole complex of selfish and unacceptable activity that can blight the quality of community life. To do this we need to introduce structures to deflect offenders, protect their potential victims and make anti-social behaviour a less attractive option. We will endeavour to take a two-pronged approach; that of prevention and enforcement. Partnership approaches sit at the heart of this protocol. The strategy aligns with the Getting Personal with Communities initiative. Practitioners must understand the needs of the people they serve and know the criminals they may encounter. Reassurance is situated at the heart of all of our interactions with witnesses and aggrieved parties. Proportionate and Fair Practitioners must be able to demonstrate that any actions taken are a reasonable means of dealing with the problem that has been identified. The Human Rights test must be applied as in the case of criminal work. We must be able to point to a legal authority giving grounds for the measures proposed and our actions must be accountable and necessary for the preservation of good order and prevention and detection of offences. Incremental Approach Practitioners must be able to demonstrate an incremental approach with reasonableness as a core theme running through all interventions. Intelligence systems need to be kept fully updated as to a steady process mapping out attempts to deal with ASB. Where appropriate an acceptable behaviour agreement shall be used to redress behaviour. Offenders identified through LOMP/MAPPOM do not fit this criterion however and if justified, ASBOs should be sought. Where suitable, enforcement must be underpinned by support. Guidance Map ASB Policy Working with our partners engagement with the public We must continue to develop and sustain working relationships with the communities we serve and wherever possible engage in consultation to assess, monitor and feed back the results of our work. Partnership working must sit at the heart of this protocol and early engagement is urged. We must actively engage with our public. Practitioners must provide a means through which all the diverse groups we work with and for can be consulted. Information sharing protocols must be used so that all relevant information is acted upon. Community engagement methods Key individual networks (KINs) Public meetings Beat surgeries Mobile police stations Door to door questionnaires Leaflet/postcards drops Adverts at main public thoroughfares, shopping areas Use of media especially for hard to reach groups Parish council circulations 4

5 Environmental visual audits (EVAs) Youth engagement through Youth Inititiatives Officers Bus stop advertising Consultation with race, faith groups Joint action groups (J.A.G.S.) Using Neighbourhood Policing as a driver Neighbourhood policing is about using community-focused policing to target visible crime and anti-social behaviour, in order to make neighbourhoods feel more secure. This aligns with our policy of Getting personal with Communities. These priorities are not set by the police but by citizens and stakeholders within a neighbourhood. These identified priorities need to be carefully and regularly reviewed to ensure that action is aligned to need. Committed to environmental change in neighbourhoods and solving community problems The essence of Getting Personal with Communities is engagement with them. It is crucial because it is through this focus that we instil confidence in our communities and encourage them to co-operate with the police and contribute to the maintenance of their neighbourhood. We need to consult with all the various segments of our neighbourhoods to establish what their concerns are and tackle them 3. The Policy of the Leicestershire Constabulary Leicestershire Constabulary is committed to achieving a safer, better environment for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in which to reside. In pursuit of this we will promote, in conjunction with our partners, the proportionate and incremental use of ASB measures to combat disorderly behaviour; and ensure those in the community that persist in an anti-social manner, moderate their behaviour through choice or by the raft of measures available. The overarching aim is to deflect offenders, protect their would-be victims and make ASB a less attractive option. The advent of the SNEN may place increased demands upon all of us. ASB is now categorised into eight sub-headings and it is clear that these classifications cut across all partner agencies. They include; Vandalism and graffiti Noisy neighbours and loud parties Threatening and abusive behaviour Abandoned vehicles dumping and fly tipping Drunk and rowdy groups Street lighting Drug related anti-social behaviour 4. Procedures Reasonableness must be demonstrated throughout the range of measures that may be deployed. Throughout this, we must be able to show that a course of action is 5

6 warranted due to other measures failing to solve the problem. Thus, an incremental approach should be clearly evidenced. Information sharing protocols are crucial so that effective solutions are used to deal with all aspects of anti-social behaviour. Various useful documents and contacts may be found by clicking on the useful contacts front page. The Anti-Social Behaviour Process Anti-social behaviour can include a wide variety of types of behaviour, dependent on such factors as impact, context and location. The legal definition can be found at Section 1(1) Crime and Disorder Act It is defined as acting in an anti-social manner that causes or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household THE VERBAL WARNING This will be the first entry into the ASB process. It will be the responsibility of the first officer attending a report, or dealing with an ASB incident, to record the details of the persons involved and the nature of the complaint, and to issue the subsequent verbal warning. This information should be recorded on the Community Intelligence page of CIS. The recording of this information should act as an alert that a more serious situation might develop. No specific form of words is required when issuing a warning to the alleged perpetrator/s of the ASB. THE WARNING LETTER There is no specific time limit required between the verbal warning and sending a warning letter. It will be the responsibility of areas to decide on the speed of the progression through the process, based upon the factors outlined within the definition. A warning letter is to alert the perpetrator, and in the case of a young person, the parent/guardian, to the nature of the alleged behaviour. It should outline the circumstances and impact of the alleged behaviour. The letter should also contain clear information of the action that might be taken should the alleged behaviour continue. In the case of a young person, the letter should also contain advice on the support available to parents/guardians in tackling the alleged behaviour. The letter should contain the contact details of the officer dealing, should the alleged perpetrator or family member/guardian wish to discuss the case. 6

7 All correspondence sent to an individual in respect of this policy should be kept, as this will form part of any evidence required should an application for an Order be made. Appendix 10 Warning Letter There is no limit on the number of persons the warning letter can be issued to, and a more general letter could be considered in warning large groups of persons suspected to be involved in ASB at a particular location, or in a particular area. THE ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR CONTRACT An Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) is a written agreement between a person that has been involved in anti-social behaviour, and one or more local agencies whose role it is to prevent such behaviour. ABC s are most commonly used for young people, but may also be used for adults. The contract is agreed and signed at a meeting with the individual and the lead agencies. Where the person whose behaviour is at issue is a young person, then the parents/guardians should attend. The officer who will have responsibility for monitoring the case should organise and lead the ABC meeting. This can be an officer of any rank. The contract should specify the list of anti-social acts which the person has committed, and which they agree not to continue. Where possible the individual should be involved in drawing up the contract. This may encourage them to recognise and take responsibility for their actions. Support should be offered to address any underlying issues the individual might have. This might include diversionary activities, such as attending a youth project, counselling, or support for a family. It is essential to identify which agencies may already be involved if the individual is aged between 10 and 17 years. Early contact with the Youth Offending Service is urged. The action to be considered if there is a breach, such as an ASBO or Dispersal Order, should be detailed. The threat of action provides an incentive to ensure that the contract is adhered to. The flexible nature of ABC s allows for various agencies to take the lead according to the circumstances. The agency that can have the greatest impact on reducing the unacceptable behaviour should take the lead. ABC s have been useful in preparing ASBO applications, as they indicate to the court that the offender is unwilling to change their pattern of behaviour voluntarily. 7

8 Where offending is serious or persistent, an ASBO or Post Conviction ASBO is likely to be more effective. The ABC scheme should be explained to the individual and their family/guardian, if relevant. THE ABC MEETING The individual involved should be formally invited to take part in the meeting. The ABC meeting should be used as an opportunity for the individual involved in the anti-social behaviour, and his or her family/guardian where relevant, to discuss the meaning of the term anti-social behaviour and the impact it has on others. The meeting should be used as an early intervention process to stop the inappropriate behaviour becoming worse. The repercussions of failure to comply should be explained, and opportunities for support should be explored. The venue for the meeting should be considered. Whilst police premises may reinforce the importance attached to an ABC, it is important that care is taken to ensure that the meeting is not misinterpreted as being part of a criminal investigation. If the individual who is to be subject to an ABC fails to attend without good reason, a further attempt at contact should be made. If this fails, their non-appearance should be documented and used in any further proceedings. A written warning to this effect should be sent to the individual. Drawing Up the Contract An ABC usually lasts for 6 months. As it is not a statutory document, any reasonable period may be specified. The original copy of the ABC should be held within the Community Safety Bureau for each area. Whilst the terms of the order should reflect the behaviour complained of, they should not be so numerous that the individual is overwhelmed. The contract should be written in language the individual can easily understand. Appendix 11 Invitation Letter ABA Form A copy of the contract should be made available to all those involved in working with the individual. Monitoring Continued monitoring is vital for the contract to be effective. If the contract is breached, there must always be a response. The action taken should be determined by the nature of the breach. However a failure to comply would justify a progression to the next stage of the process. 8

9 Evidence gathered for an ABC, and any noted breaches, may be cited in court for an application in support of an ASBO, post-conviction ASBO, or assist the Local Authority or Resident Social Landlord in cases of possession orders. CONSULTATION Should interventions have been tried and are failing, and it is clear that the individual is not changing his/her behaviour, then consultation must occur. If a stand-alone ASBO is considered, then the consultation between the relevant authorities is statutory. They can be summarised as follows: (a) The Council must consult with the Chief Officer of Police for the area, (b) The Chief Officer of Police must consult with the Council; and (c) Resident Social Landlords, The British Transport Police, Housing Action Trusts and County Councils must consult with both the Police and the Council for the area. The legislation states consultation will occur with the Chief of Police. In practice this never happens, and an Officer of Inspector or lower rank can consult on behalf of the police. It is recommended that the Officer with best knowledge of the case should participate in the consultation. Although there is no statutory requirement for consultation when considering other measures against an individual (post-conviction ASBO or injunction), best practice will be that a level of consultation will occur. The level of consultation required will depend upon the agencies involved with the individual. Consultation at an early stage allows for all partners to have a shared understanding of the individual and the behaviour complained of. It also allows disagreements to be aired and hopefully resolved prior to any action being taken. Failure to consult may lead to the court adjourning a case for consultation to occur. In the case of a juvenile the Youth Offending Team should always be consulted at an early stage. Adequate time should be allowed for all relevant agencies to provide a response. This should be within 7 days, so as not to delay any court proceedings. The relevant council for consultation is the one which has responsibility for the address at which the defendant lives, or would appear to reside. Consultation should not be confused with consent. The purpose of the consultation is to inform other agencies, and to exchange information. Other agencies should be given the opportunity to comment. It is imperative that contact is made with the correct representatives within the relevant agencies. Not just representatives of various agencies, but those people who can make and justify their decision. If a number of agencies are involved and wish to make representations in relation to proposed action, then a meeting should occur which should be minuted. If legislative measures are being proposed, alternative remedies should be discussed and considered. 9

10 THE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR PROCESS The decision-making process illustrated below is a clearly defined progressive procedure for supervisors and practitioners, who should acquaint themselves with the process prior to action being taken. This process has also been adopted by partner agencies involved in tackling anti-social behaviour in our communities. If an officer bypasses any part of the process, this will not automatically invalidate the legitimacy of the action they have taken. It will be their responsibility to justify the circumstances that warranted their choice of action to partner agencies and the courts. Prolific and Priority Offenders The use of post conviction anti-social behaviour orders are to be encouraged in controlling the behaviour of Prolific and other Priority offenders (PPO). Where a PPO is identified via MAPPOM/LOMP, discussion with the area PPO Intelligence Co-ordinator should occur and a post-conviction ASBO or CRASBO should be sought, if appropriate, following consultation with partner agencies. However this should not preclude the use of other interventions such as injunctions or stand Alone ASBOs. Appendix 1 Certificate of consultation and confidentiality statement Information Sharing Section 115 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, empowers any person to disclose information, where necessary or expedient for the purposes of the Act, to a Chief Officer of Police, a Police Force, Local Authorities, Probation Service, a Health Authority, or to a person acting on their behalf. Where the agency requesting the information clearly needs it for the purposes of reducing anti-social behaviour, the presumption will normally be that it should be supplied. However if the information contains personal data which relates to an ongoing investigation or prosecution then consultation must take place with the officer in the case and CPS to ensure that disclosure will not adversely prejudice the outcome of that matter. Where personal data is to be released to parties other than agencies covered under the Crime and Disorder Act, such as the youth offending service officers may still do so only if in support of that agencies statutory function and duty, and/or it complies with powers to disclose under the Data Protection Act 1998, Police Act 1996 and Common Law. Victim details must not be disclosed without their prior written consent. Measures to be considered Appendix 2 Injunctions under the Housing Act 1996 Appendix 3- Injunctions under section 222 Local Government Act

11 Appendix 4 Post conviction ASBO (CRASBO) Appendix 5 Dispersal Order Appendix 6 Crackhouse Closure Anti-social behaviour orders and injunctions are both useful tools. In many cases it will be possible to use either tool and also combine these with other remedies such as when a social landlord applies for possession order or demotion of a tenancy. Practitioners will have to make a decision on the details of each individual case, hence the need for effective consultation at an early stage. Below sets out the key similarities and differences between the two tools to aid this decision, but as a general rule injunctions are not an effective tool in dealing with persons under 16 years of age. A comparison of Antisocial behaviour orders and injunctions Anti-social behaviour orders Injunctions Which court Immediate protection Magistrates (stand alone or on conviction) Youth court (on conviction) County court (related proceedings) Crown Court (on conviction) Interim ASBO Made without notice County court High Court Interim injunction Made without notice Age of defendant Age of defendant is not relevant rather the mental capacity of the 10+ defendant to understand what they are doing and how to modify their behaviour is the test. Duration Minimum 2 years Can last forever Geographical extent Can extend to whole of England & Wales but location must be specified Specific location Standard of proof Criminal standard equivalent Civil standard Hearsay and professional witnesses admissible Yes Yes Who can apply Police Local Authorities Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) British Transport Police (BTP) Housing Association Trust (HAT) County councils Local Authority Social landlords including RSL and HATs - behaviour must be housing related Penalty for breach Criminal offence Criminal penalties apply ( up to 5 years imprisonment and or fine ) Contempt of court penalty (Up to 2 years Imprisonment, for adults, only and/or fine) Reporting No automatic restrictions No restrictions, except for juveniles Staff may also wish to consider the use of Restraining Orders, which can be imposed by a court upon conviction for offences under the Protection From Harassment Act 1997 and also racially aggravated harassment under section 32 of the Crime and Disorder Act

12 Supporting witnesses Witnesses are crucial to tackling anti-social behaviour. Whether they are victims of anti-social behaviour directed against them specifically or residents who witness antisocial behaviour directed against the community. The evidence available from a witness of anti-social behaviour is of a higher quality than hearsay or professional witness statements and can cover more incidents than a surveillance operation. It demonstrates the true distress and annoyance of antisocial behaviour; it shows how anti-social behaviour damages the community. Gaining trust and confidence of witnesses is key to keeping witnesses on board. No more so than at the first stage when a report is made. This is the point at which victim s and witnesses expectations are set. Reassurance must sit at the heart of this process. Witnesses need to be supported the whole length of the witness pathway; from report, to trial remedy and beyond. Hearsay evidence can be used. If members of a community feel unable to give evidence in court, the options of how their evidence could be presented should be discussed with the Crown Prosecution Service. This is of paramount importance and has been highlighted in the Domestic Violence, Crime and victims Act After the Order is made The obtaining of the Order is not the end of the process. The Order must be monitored and enforced. Reassurance and an update of the application must be given to all interested parties. Successful CRASBO applications will be placed on phoenix by the issuing courts. In the case of successful ASBO third party applications, Area CSBs should be informed by the applying body, the Area CSB should then create a locate and trace record on PNC. Originals of all Orders and all supporting documentation obtained should be submitted to the Area Community Safety Bureau for collation and analysis purposes. There should be a means of tracking the movement of these documents. After the Order is made, partners should continue to exchange information, to ensure early warning of problems, and clarification of roles. For example, deciding what action partner-agencies should take to safeguard witnesses, inform and reassure the public and what should be done to challenge the perpetrator in such cases. It is essential that breaches of an Order, appeals against the sentence and any other actions relating to the management of the case, are reported to the lead officer responsible for the management of the case and other agencies involved. Details of all Orders obtained should be recorded on PNC. Appropriate action should be taken as soon as possible, if there is a breach of an Order. Areas must have an established process to ensure that an effective weeding and retention process is in place. Orders should be checked against PNC / court records to ensure continuing validity. 12

13 Breaches of these orders will be robustly dealt with and early advice must be sought from the Crown Prosecution Service and EROs. Upon charge, custody officers must consider carefully whether to remand in custody, charge and conditionally bail or bail under 34(5) PACE 1984 for the offence. A breach in itself, no matter how small, should be treated as a serious matter. Invariably orders will only be imposed by the courts where a pattern and history of offending or anti-social behaviour has already been identified, and considered necessary to control the individual s actions. Breach of an order is clear evidence of failure to adhere to a court order. Review and Evaluate For all anti-social behaviour measures used there must be a review of the effectiveness of the process. If the measures taken are not succeeding, this will give the agencies an opportunity to re-enter the consultation phase and progress alternative strategies. Evaluation of the measures taken will allow for a more effective use of the legislation in future cases. Each case should be reviewed on a quarterly basis, with contact being made with all agencies involved in the case. In the case of Post-Conviction ASBO s, the order cannot be discharged within the first 2 year period. If the perpetrator is complying with the prohibitions imposed, they may apply for a variance. Similarly, if the perpetrators behaviour escalates, a new application should be sought with more restrictive prohibitions. Currently a variance by the prosecution can only be applied for in the case of a stand alone ASBO and not currently in the case of a CRASBO. PUBLICITY The guidance offered regarding reporting restrictions should not unnecessarily delay anyone directly involved in a case receiving information about an Order or injunction. All witnesses and victims should be informed immediately. Victims and witnesses can also be given a copy of the Order. Corporate Communications as well as the Media Liaison Officer for any third party who applied for the order should be consulted to publicise these orders. Publicising serves two important functions. Firstly, it maximises the effectiveness of the order in that breaches are much more likely to be reported if the terms are known to the wider community. Secondly, it shows the community that effective action will be taken against those who commit anti-social behaviour. Orders against adults can be publicised without difficulty, and should be disseminated to police stations and other relevant bodies. If an Order is made against a juvenile, consideration should be given to balancing the interests of the child against the public interest. The prohibition against publicity in Section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 is a discretionary. It is important to note that 13

14 there is no automatic restriction on reporting, and unless a ruling is made to the contrary, every detail of an Order may be published. Any publicity involving the release of photographs must comply with the Force Policy entitled Issue of Photographs Outside The Police Service. Leaflets are not generally held to be large-scale distribution within this policy and therefore authorisation by an Area Community Safety Bureau Inspector will suffice in this instance. Leaflets Leaflets are a valid means of publicising the obtaining of an Order and, despite challenges to their use on human rights grounds, the courts have agreed their publication is justified. The use of leaflets also encourages the community to assist us in the long-term enforcement of the prohibitions. Leaflets should not be used in all cases, and a case-by-case approach should be adopted. The leaflet should contain the following points; Name and age of the perpetrator Photograph where authorised Prohibitions and exclusion area, including map of area. Inception date of the Order Expiry date of the Order Details of the anti-social behaviour Contact numbers for the local police and relevant housing services. It must be highlighted that all calls would be treated in confidence. Only in severe cases of anti-social behaviour, accompanied by extreme intimidation, should there be use of a leaflet for Interim ASBO s. If there are non-association prohibitions, then generally these too can be publicised. If the non-association is with people who are not subject to an ASBO, then this must be highlighted. The leaflets should be distributed in areas that have been subject of the anti-social behaviour, and aimed at preventing further incidents. Careful consideration should be given to the content of the leaflet, as for some people in an area, the leaflets may actually increase the fear of crime, particularly if they themselves were unaware of the anti-social behaviour we are targeting. Leaflets should be distributed within two weeks of the relevant court case and only if the offender has not been given a custodial sentence. If an offender remains active after the Order has been obtained consideration can be given to re-publicising the prohibitions and the points of contact within the police. Appendix 8 Pro forma leaflets 14

15 Appendix 9 Guidelines for ASBO publicity The cost of producing and circulating the leaflet has to be considered in each case. RECORD KEEPING PERFORMANCE The number of Orders obtained is only one measure of how a Force is performing with regard to anti-social behaviour. The use of Orders often means that other measures have failed. Issues such as the public s fear of crime are relevant, although this information is often difficult to capture. It is essential that the respective Area Community Safety Bureau be notified of any Order obtained. All original files should be held within the Community Safety Bureau. Area Community Safety Bureaux are expected to ensure systems are in place to be able to provide details of the following : The number of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts entered into. The number of ASBO s obtained by external agencies within their Area. The number of ASBO and CRASBOs their officers obtained. The number and locality of dispersal zones in existence. Details of breach rates. CRASBO Appendix 4 Post Conviction Anti-Social Behaviour Order Any criminal Court, on conviction of a person for a relevant offence, can make an order to prohibit the defendant from doing anything specified in the order. The order whilst made by the criminal court is a civil order with the same effect as an ASBO. The order may be made by; the Magistrates Court, Youth Court or Crown Court. Although the correct term for these orders is a post-conviction order they are commonly referred to as CRASBO s. CRASBO s were introduced by the Police Reform Act 2002, but were initially a difficult means of making an application. The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 changed the legislation with the introduction from 31st March 2004 of new subsections 1C(3), (3A) and (3B). Now the Court may make an order if the prosecutor asks it to do so or if the Court thinks it appropriate. What must the Court be satisfied of? 15

16 1) The offender has acted in an anti-social manner (i.e. has acted in a manner which caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as the offender); and 2) An order was necessary to protect persons in any place in England and Wales from further anti-social acts by him. The main change from the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 is, there is no longer a need to show that the order was necessary to protect relevant persons now it is simply persons in England and Wales. The Court may only make an order if it sentences the offender in respect on the relevant offence or conditionally discharges him or her. A relevant offence is one, which is committed after the coming into force of the Police Reform Act 2002 (December 2002). The decision as to whether an order is to be made follows the criminal trial. It is based on the evidence, which was heard in the criminal proceedings, but also any additional evidence, which is presented by the prosecution and defence. It is immaterial whether the evidence which the prosecution presents, would have been admissible in the proceedings in which the defendant was convicted. If the defendant contests the evidence presented, he will have the opportunity to test it and have a contested hearing. Therefore a full hearing would be required, making it no different from if a free-standing ASBO application had been made. Freestanding or Post Conviction ASBO? A free-standing application can be a costly alternative for the agencies involved. However, problems have arisen where authorities have waited for a criminal conviction in order to request an order. This could also be a significant problem if the person was not convicted. The suggested best practice is for officers in partnership with other agencies to begin collating information for a free-standing application, but to seize the opportunity of shortening the process if the defendant is convicted prior to the application being made in the normal way. Staff should be aware within the consultation process that additional orders such as Intervention Orders and Individual Support Orders, which place a requirement of a positive response on the individual rather than purely prohibitive, can only be imposed by a court in conjunction with an ASBO not a CRASBO. Duration Any order, which is made, will come into effect the day it is made. The Court does have the power to suspend the requirements of the order until he/she is released from custody. This it would seem means the Court has the authority to impose that the order will only start to run on the defendant s release from custody. 16

17 An order made under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 must be made for a minimum of 2 years. It cannot be discharged within the 2-year period from which the order begins to run. There is no upper limit on the duration of an order. The court will consider the following factors in determining the duration of the order. 1. The severity of the anti-social behaviour proved 2. The history of the anti-social behaviour 3. The age of the defendant 4. The number of warnings and other remedies that have been attempted 5. The effect of the behaviour on others in the community A defendant can apply for a variance of the terms within that order during the 2-year period. What paperwork do I need to prepare? Prior to considering application for a CRASBO, ensure you are aware of the antisocial behaviour process within the Force ASB Policy. If you prepare an application that does not follow the process, you will be asked to justify why to the prosecution and possibly the court. Consultation must always occur prior to application. The level of consultation required will vary in every case, refer to guidance within the main ASB force policy document. Leicestershire Constabulary now has a standard application for a CRASBO and this should be used in all cases. The form can be downloaded and the officer can then collate the relevant evidence over a period of time. In addition to the standard application, the officers should make note of the CRASBO application on the MG6 of the original file. If other witnesses are to be used, a witness list MG9 should be prepared and the witness statements attached to the CRASBO file. An MG13 must be completed. This outlines the requested prohibitions and the grounds for seeking them. Use the grounds section to direct the prosecutor to the relevant witness statement or section of the standard application. The file should be shown to the shadow-charging officer prior to charge. In cases where a file is being prepared prior to a qualifying offence being committed, the file can be shown to the prosecutor in advance. In such a case an information marker should be placed on PNC stating the location of the file. Appendix 12 Standard Application and Example of Completed Application Appendix 13 MG13 Appendix 13 Guidance Notes 17

18 Prohibitions The prohibitions of the order must be negative and prohibitory in nature. They must not be positive or mandatory. This includes the use of negative wording to impose a truly mandatory term (e.g. you must not fail to attend school). The prohibitions applied for must be carefully considered and should be drawn up in consultation with the Duty Crown Prosecutor or other CPS ASBO specialist. The prohibitions must be capable of being enforced. Simple, plain language should be employed. As part of the consultation process, the proposed prohibitions should be discussed. This will ensure appropriate terms are drafted. Failure to consult can lead to the application being challenged at Court adjournments to enable other agencies to make representation. It is good practice to consult with the relevant victims and witnesses about proposed prohibitions, as it is for their benefit the order is being sought. Below is a checklist of principles and points to be considered when drafting the prohibitions of an order. The order should: 1. Cover the range of anti-social acts committed by the defendant. 2. Be necessary to protect persons within a defined area from the anti-social acts of the defendant. 3. Be reasonable and proportionate. 4. Be realistic and practical. 5. Be clear, concise and easy to understand. 6. Be specific when referring to matters of time. For example, prohibiting the offender from being outside or in particular areas at certain times. 7. Be specific in relation to exclusion from an area. Colour maps should be attached to the application. The court will require 4 copies. 8. Be in terms, which will make it easy to determine and prosecute a breach. The geographical boundaries of the order should be specified. The order can now cover England and Wales but the application would have to justify such a request. Information such as the offender moving frequently or evidence showing a wide geographical spread of anti-social behaviour can be used to support the order application. Exclusion zones are popular and commonly used; they provide relief to specific communities. If an exclusion zone is to be sought the following should be provided to the court. A colour map of the exclusion zone. The map should indicate addresses relevant to the defendant such as his or her home address. Other examples would be Probation Offices/Connexion Offices and Schools. If there is conflict between agencies over 18

19 certain areas within the exclusion zone, consider stipulating the offender should be accompanied by a Social Worker/YOTS Worker or specified family member. Other prohibitions can include non-association with groups over a certain number or with named persons. To encourage proportionality these can often be limited to in a public place When a non-association prohibition is sought, it is essential that only those persons against whom there is evidence of anti-social behaviour, when together with the defendant, are included in the list of names. The training website has a list of prohibitions that have been applied and the Crime reduction website also has an extensive list, Service of the order on the defendant Where a CRASBO is granted, a copy of the order should be served on the defendant in person prior to his or her departure from Court. If this is not done, the officer in charge of the case at the Local Policing unit should serve the order. A copy of the order should be given to the Anti-Social behaviour co-ordinator for the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. Appeals Section 4 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, provides the offender with the right of Appeal against the making of an order. Appeal is to the Crown Court. Both parties may provide additional evidence. A copy of the original application should be provided to the Court. Notice of the appeal must be served within 21 days of the order. The Crown Court has the discretion to give leave to appeal out of time. Publicity Please refer to the guidance within the Anti-Social Behaviour Policy and the publicity protocol devised by the corporate communications department. After the order is made The obtaining of the order is not the end of the process. The order must be monitored and enforced. The original file should be held in the Community Safety Bureau of the relevant area and the case allocated to specific officer or team. Currently, only Field Intelligence Officers and Local Intelligence Officers have the authority to put the ASBO details onto the system. So once a CRASBO has been obtained, notify an officer who can ensure this is done. Breaches Breach of an order is a criminal offence with a power of arrest. A breach of an Anti- Social Behaviour Order should not be treated as just another minor offence. It should be remembered that the order itself would often have been the culmination of a course of persistent anti-social behaviour. An order will only be seen as effective, if the breaches are taken seriously. 19

20 Therefore it is envisaged that this power will be used following every breach to ensure the offence is fully investigated and the offender interviewed. This will also ensure that the matter is put before the courts at the earliest opportunity. A request for a remand in custody will normally ensue, however, if appropriate, an individual be released upon bail should have appropriate conditions put in place. Breach of and ASBO or CRASBO is also a recordable offence and counts as a sanctioned detection. The code for the breach is The charging code is CD The lead officer managing the case should notify other partner agencies involved in the case, the outcome of the breach investigation. The standard of proof for a breach of an order is the criminal standard beyond reasonable doubt. Provision is made in section 1(10) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 for a defence of reasonable excuse. A number of penalties are available to the court, but a conditional discharge is not. Crack house closures If any premises have been used in connection with the unlawful production, supply or use of any Class A controlled drug and its use is linked to any disorder or serious nuisance during the previous 3 months a Superintendent may issue a closure notice after consulting with the Local Authority. The Magistrates court will hear the application within 48 hours of the closure order, and the order lasts for 3 months. Appendix 6 CRACK HOUSE CLOSURE Definition Of Terms The drugs covered are as defined in the Misuse of Drugs Act For a full list of class A refer to Act. Common examples are; Cocaine Crack Cocaine Heroin Ecstasy It is not required to demonstrate that a specific individual is producing, supplying or in the possession of drugs, just that there are reasonable grounds for believing that such activities are occurring on the premises. In reality other forces have found that possession has not been enough once the case has got to court. 20

21 Production Closure power is potentially available where premises are used to produce a class A controlled drug. Crack Cocaine and Ecstasy are commonly produced in premises within the UK. Where there is no evidence of supply or use, but the production is accompanied by a serious nuisance or disorder arising from persons using the property, then the power can be used. Supply This power will potentially be available where a premises is used for the supply of Class A drugs. Gathering evidence to prosecute for supply within closed settings such as Crack Houses can be difficult. Again the power can be used to close the premises based on reasonable grounds for believing there is supply. This could be confirmed by the presence of drugs or drugs paraphernalia amongst other evidence. For a successful closure, it is not necessary to bring charges against a specific person for supply of a controlled drug. Use The power of closure is potentially available in premises where Class A drugs are being used. This power is suitable for circumstances where it is difficult to prove supply or production or possession. The use must be associated with serious nuisance or disorder. Although it is not required to charge any person with possession of a Class A drugs to confirm the use of such drugs in a premises this would assist in getting a Closure Order. For forces that have used these powers, it has been the easiest to prove. Successful closures have been on the back of some class A having been found at the premises at some point within the last 3 months. Other indicators of use would include repeated visits by other known users. Seek intelligence on them. Drug paraphernalia being found in and surrounding the house. The state of the house and of the occupants. All of these can be included in the police officers statement. In all of the above it will be for the Court to decide whether the evidence points to there being Production, Use or Supply at a premises. Evidence has to relate to incidents within 3 months of the case appearing at court. Disorder or Serious Nuisance These terms are not currently defined in law. In all cases of Closure Application, it will be necessary to demonstrate disorder or serious nuisance is associated with the premises. The disorder or serious nuisance does not have to be associated with the use, production or the supply it is only necessary to prove both are present at the same premises at the same time. Following are examples of problems which might constitute disorder or serious nuisance; Intimidating or threatening behaviour towards residents A significant increase in crime in the immediate area surrounding the premises 21

22 The presence or discharge of a firearm in or adjacent to the premises Significant problems with prostitution Sexual Acts being committed in public Consistent need to collect and dispose of drugs paraphernalia and other dangerous items Violent offences and Crime being committed in the vicinity of the premises High numbers of people entering and leaving the premises over a 24 hour period and the resultant disruption they cause to residents Noise - constant/intrusive noise- excessive noise at all hours associated with visitors to the property. Accurate recording of events and accounts from neighbours over a period of time is therefore required. Professional witnesses may be appropriate. Be flexible in your use of evidence. Unsigned witness statements and evidence of needle collection in the area have all been used. Consultation The purpose of consultation is to seek the support of the Local Authority, Housing Authority, D.A.A.T., Education Department, Social Services and any other relevant interested party. Best practise will always be to hold this multi-agency meeting at an earlier stage. The purpose of this meeting will be to assess the quality of the information and intelligence to hand and to discuss the range of support measures that may be necessitated. There must be a common will amongst member agencies to close the address allied to a commitment to provide support measures. Once the views have been received there is no obligation for the Police to agree or act upon them. The police are obliged to consult with the relevant Local Authority. The police may also wish to inform the relevant Resident Social Landlord where they own or manage the premises. The appropriate point of notification is the Chief Executive or the Director of Housing. The consultation should take place imminently so as not to delay the use of the legislation. Contact with Social Services may also be required. The consultation should be at an early stage so as to; Obtain from the Local Authority any information relating to the disorder or serious nuisance Establish if the premises house a vulnerable person or persons. Work is currently underway with partner agencies to develop a response protocol for vulnerable and non-vulnerable tenants. Vulnerable would include children, persons with health and mental health issues Enabling them to notify the relevant Housing department as to the demands that may be made of them should the court make a Closure Order Gain their support for the operation where possible To establish if further agencies involved with the premises need to be notified. Joint working in this area should be encouraged at all times. Premises 22

23 The Act defines premises as including (a) any land or other place (whether enclosed or not); and (b) any outbuildings which are or are used as part of the premises. Some examples will include: Houses/flats/apartments Sheds Common areas adjacent to houses Garages Factories Shops Pubs Clubs Public Buildings (ie toilets) Telephone box. The power can be restricted to a sub-section of a larger building. Interested Party Is an identifiable person with an interest in the premises on whom the police should attempt to serve a Closure Notice, if they can be identified. A Notice should be served on as many people as possible that will be effected by the closure. Failure to serve a Notice does not invalidate the proceedings if the Court is satisfied that reasonable steps have been taken to identify the interested party. The Purpose of the Closure Notice The Notice alerts those interested parties of the intention to apply to the Court for a Closure Order. It also sends a clear message to the community that action is being taken. This can be supported by a leaflet drop in the area, before and after the closure, appealing for information in relation to activities at the premises. It is important that when the Closure Notice is served the interested person/s understand its meaning and that even at this point they have a chance to reform the behaviour associated with the premises. Requirements for the Notice The police must take reasonable steps to identify interested parties. The police are not required to ensure all persons who might suffer a financial loss as a result of the closure are notified prior to the Notice being issued. The fixing of the Notice to the building is also intended to ensure the closure is publicised to anyone with an interest. The Closure Notice should be considered within the context of a strategic action against the premises and should be overseen at a senior level. Authorisation The decision to use the power must be authorised by a Superintendent or above. They will hold the appropriate overview of the police action as a whole. It is essential this officer ensures the appropriate consultation has taken place. Appendix 14a Supt authorisation closure 1 Appendix 14b Supt authorisation closure 2 23

24 Appendix 14c Warning Notice The authorising officer should authorise the closure in writing. But where written consent is not immediately available, oral authorisation is sufficient as long as it is confirmed in writing at the earliest opportunity. This must be done before the Court hearing. In order to authorise the Closure Notice the authorising officer must be satisfied of the following; That there is reasonable suspicion of Class A drug production, supply or use occurring at the premises within the last 3 months and That there is reasonable grounds for believing that the use of the premises was associated with disorder or serious nuisance and That the relevant Local Authority has been consulted and where possible been given enough notice to put in place effective housing management solutions and prevent homelessness and That reasonable steps have been taken to identify interested persons. The authorising officer should take into account: Whether the proposed actions will have the intended impact on the problem The suitability of the powers, with all their implications The evidence about the level of disorder and nuisance and anti-social behaviour associated with the premises How this action is to be followed up ensuring the premises does not become re-occupied for similar purposes and how the Closure can be followed up as part of a Neighbourhood Policing Plan The views of the local authority Any other powers that might be more suitable to achieve the same result The availability of powers that can be used along side the power to support the overall aim. The impact on the local community will be a crucial factor in deciding whether to seek closure. The police must ensure they have taken into account the views of the local residents. The willingness of witnesses to give evidence will be a major factor in all such cases. Although the Government have announced plans to introduce special measures for witnesses in Anti-Social Behaviour cases at the time of writing these have not yet been introduced. Consideration must therefore be given to facilities available to support and protect witnesses. Statements have been used where the witness has retained anonymity and circuit judges have supported this. But in each case legal advice as to the presentation of witness evidence should be sought. Other Powers Consider use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and the array of powers available to the Local Authority under the Housing act SERVING AND ENFORCING THE CLOSURE NOTICE Appendix 15 Closure notice 24

25 Who Should the Notice be Served on The Notice must, where reasonably identified, be served upon all those with an interest in the premises. This will include persons that are not residents, but live there nonetheless. The tenant and their dependants at the property; the owner or their representative; and persons affected through access to their property. Identifying the interested persons need not delay the service of the Notice. Service of the Notice can be effected by affixing a copy of the Notice to the premises, but service on an interested party is always best practise. If the owner or the letting agent is not local posting a Notice is acceptable. The Service of the Notice An officer of any rank can serve the Notice. Although a warrant to search the premises might be conducted at the time of the service this is not a requirement. If you are conducting a warrant at the same time consider field testing of substances found. Entry is not required to serve the Notice this can be done by service to residents at the door or by affixing the Notice to the premises. A clear explanation of the Notices nature and effect must be given. No power of Entry exists to serve the Notice. It is an arrestable offence to obstruct a Police Officer serving the Closure Notice. Consider serving papers at the same time as the Notice. This will prevent the person arriving at court and claiming ignorance and an adjournment being given. Post Closure Procedures and dealing with Those in the Premises Enforcement has to be balanced against the need for rehabilitation. One of the consequences of a closure will be the displacement of the occupants. Each closure is different and will place various demands on all service providers. Once served those residing in the premises might leave the premises affected by the closure Notice voluntarily. The range of support measures discussed at the planning stage will now be offered. These will be tailored to each individual address but will ordinarily range from alternative accommodation to drug-treatment services It is an arrestable offence for a person who does not normally live at the premises or is not the owner, to continue to reside at or enter the property during the Closure Notice Period. FILE PREPARATION If possible nominate a file builder who can present the case. Although the case is a civil one the file should be prepared to a Crown Court standard. The presentation of the case is not in the format of a criminal file. The file contents should include: The copies of the Closure Notice issued by the Superintendent. The authority by the Superintendent allowing the Notices to be served. A copy of the Consultation document agreed between the Superintendent and the Local Authority. 25

26 Letters from the Superintendent to the local Housing Authority and the Drug Action and Advice Team regarding the issue of the Closure Notice. Statement from the Landlord or Local Authority stating what action they will take if a Closure Order is imposed. Overview statement from the local LPU Inspector. Statement from the local beat officer who speaks to and works with local residents. CSOs to collect statements from local residents by knocking on doors and obtaining details of dates and times of any activities at the premises. Statements from external agencies such as Housing Officers, ASB Officers and the Environmental Health Team. Statement from the FIO re intelligence on persons and the address. Statement from the officer who serves the Notice. Interviewing officer statements. Any relevant PNC and CRO details. Any video footage covering entry to the premises. Crime stoppers call or other calls in relation to the address. Witness list. It is suggested that edited and condensed custody records, OIS incidents and intelligence logs should also be submitted. This list is not prescriptive but gives an indication of what is required. THE HEARING The key issue is to present that disorder or serious nuisance and use, production or supply of Class A drug, are both present. This must be directly associated with the premises. The court will consider if it is necessary to make an order, to prevent disorder or serious nuisance. The court will expect classification of the interested persons as vulnerable or non-vulnerable. This will allow them to decide upon the appropriate level of support. It will be the responsibility of the police to demonstrate other tactics that have been considered prior to an application for closure. Factors courts have raised with surrounding forces upon application have included; What steps are in place for the premises? Will the residents return after 3 months? What is the view of the residents upon occupancy? Police must agree with court staff a date, time and place for a hearing prior to the serving of the Closure Notice. The date, time and place of the hearing must be on the face of the Closure Notice when it is served no more than 48 hours prior to that date. Ensure all formalities are complete for the first court date. 26

27 The Court has been asked to consider the civil standard of proof that the elements justifying the Closure Order exist. If you are applying for a closure on a privately owned dwelling, then this will rise to the criminal burden of proof. Adjournments should be avoided for forensic tests. Courts in cases such as this can accept evidence of simpler tests, which give an indication of the drug involved. The Court can defer hearing the application for the Order for 14 days to allow the interested person to prepare their case. The court can continue the power of the Closure Notice given by the police for this period. THE CLOSURE ORDER The Closure Order gives the power to close a property completely and remove access by any persons. An interested person might be allowed to enter a premises under the supervision or direction of the police or court. The Order comes into immediate effect once it is made. Breach of a Closing Order is an offence and persons can be arrested if they enter the building. The police can use reasonable force to enter and seal a property. Any Enforce Order where residents are still present should only be conducted where a risk assessment of the situation has been made. A search of the premises should be conducted once the Closure Order has been obtained. You will need the consent of the owner of the property such as the Local Authority or Resident Social Landlord. Once this consent has been given Section 19 of Pace can be used for seizure of any items found. Dealing With Those Still Occupying Premises Those found contravening the Closure Order can be arrested by uniformed officers. The only persons able to enter the premises following the Closure Order are police persons authorised by the chief police officer or those persons granted access by the court. Unless in circumstances outlined above. Closure Strategy The displacement effect of moving the persons in the premises should be considered by all agencies involved. Following an Order being made the Local Authority must be informed at the earliest opportunity. Ensure that the Local Authority are going to apply to re-possess the house and get it occupied by a new tenant as soon as possible. If the property is owned by a landlord other than the Local Authority they must be informed of the Closure Notice, for them to consider what action they will take. Ensure interested persons are given contact details of the officer in the case. Notify all witnesses of updates. Ensure a police operation is in place for continued monitoring of the area. This will prevent renewals and will allow displacement effects 27

28 to be monitored. Consider a multi-agency public meeting for the community to propose other improvements that need to be made. Consider the use of a supporting media campaign throughout. It can provide reassurance to the community. It also allows you to seek feedback from the community that might initially assist with the prosecution and then prove the success following the closure. Dispersal Orders Where members of the public have been intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed as a result of the presence or behaviour of groups of two or more people and anti-social behaviour is a significant and persistent problem in the area a Superintendent may authorise a dispersal order. The order lasts for a maximum of 6 months and the Local Authority must be consulted and agree to the order. This also applies if the order is cancelled. It gives Police officers and Police Community Support Officers in uniform the powers to (1) disperse the persons in the group, (2) direct those people not residing in the area to leave (3) to tell those persons not residing in the area not to return for a period not exceeding 24 hours and (4) to remove those persons under 16 years of age present between 9pm and 6am and not under the effective control of a responsible adult aged 18 or over to their usual place of residence, unless they would suffer significant harm by so doing. The Local Authority covering the area in which the young person is resident must be informed. Back to main document 28

29 5. Forms ABA form ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR CONTRACT Name : D.O.B : Address: Postcode: School (if appropriate): 1. I will agree not to 2. I will agree not to 3. I will agree not to 4. I will agree to To help the above complete the Acceptable Behaviour Contract successfully, the representatives of the various agencies and organisations agree to provide the following help and support 1. We agree to 2. We agree to 3. We agree to I understand that by signing this contract I am entering into a contract with Police and.. not to behave in ways stated above. 29

30 The partner agencies present will seek to provide the help and support outlined in this contract. If partner agencies are unable to provide the support listed, they will discuss as soon as possible to provide suitable alternatives. I have been made aware that although the Contract is voluntary, if I continue to behave in an anti-social manner.. Police and. may take action against my family and me. This action may include action to re-possess my family s home and an application to the Magistrates Court for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order. Failure to comply with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order can result in a substantial fine / or a prison sentence of up to 5 years. ABC Review Meetings Date Location Final Review I can confirm that my parent(s)/guardian(s) and me understand the meaning of this Contract and the consequences of a failure to comply have been explained to us. Signed.. Date (Young Person) Signed.. Date (Parent / Guardian) Signed.. Date (Police Officer and Housing Officer) 30

31 Back to main document ABA juvenile form Appendix 10 Date Dear Anti-Social Behaviour Police in the Borough of.. spend a huge proportion of our time responding to calls about the problem of anti-social behaviour: it is one of the main concerns of our local community. We appreciate that there are two sides to every story, but it is clear that the behaviour of the minority of young people is having a substantial and negative impact on the lives of the many residents and businesses. We are therefore trying to take positive action to resolve this situation. The police alone will never be able to fully solve the problem: I expect that the Borough Council, business community, education professionals, voluntary sector, parents and young people themselves will all have a role to play in reducing the amount of anti-social behaviour. Nevertheless, the police can and must take action, and this is why I am writing to you. On (date) the police were called to an incident at (explanation of incident). As a result of that incident your son/daughter was stopped by the police and his/her details were taken. The police have the power to obtain details of all individuals suspected of being involved in anti-social behaviour a power that comes from the Police Reform Act Working with other agencies, we are absolutely determined that young people accept responsibility for their actions. We are developing a simple 4-step approach to anti-social behaviour. 31

32 Step 1 In the first instance, young people will be warned that their conduct amounts to anti-social behaviour and asked to behave in a less troublesome way in future. Step 2 This informal warning is made more formal: either by means of a letter from the police to the young people and his/her parents or more probably by a personal interview between police, the young person and where applicable the parents or guardian. Step 3 If the above two steps are unsuccessful, the police will move towards the signing of an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) sometimes called an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement (ABA). This is a written agreement, in which the police and the young person set out what is and is not acceptable behaviour. The young person agrees to behave in a certain way as an alternative to more serious investigation. Step 4 If all of the above measures fail, we will gather evidence to go before a court and apply for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO s), or take out Injunctions, to enforce the community s expectations of minimum standards of behaviour. As you will no doubt be aware from media coverage, the penalties for breaching an ASBO regularly involve periods of imprisonment. It is my hope that this will be all it takes to encourage you to take a keen interest in what your son/daughter is doing in.. Over 80% of cases of anti-social behaviour are resolved at either Step 1 or Step 2 of the 4 Steps described above. The police cannot take full responsibility for the behaviour of young people: they must be held accountable for their own actions and their families share some of that accountability. If you feel that you need help or advice in regards to this, there is the possibility of support being made available through various organisations. The Centre for Fun and Families, can offer, subject to availability, participation in their Living with Teenagers programme, that runs periodically throughout the county. For further information, please contact them on Parentline can offer you over the phone advice and support. (Contact number ) You can also contact your local Social Services and ask to speak to their Children and Family Access Team, who may also be able to offer you an array of further support and advice. This letter does not imply that your son/daughter has been directly responsible for a criminal offence. But they are, or have been, part of a group that is causing substantial problems within our community - problems that have been given wide coverage in the local press. Any action you can take to divert them away from anti-social behaviour would be of great benefit to the police, the community and to your son/daughter themselves. (contact officer) Police Station is gathering evidence in relation to a large number of young people with a view to progressing ASBO applications where necessary. If you have any questions regarding this letter, I invite you to direct them to him in the first instance. He can be contacted on

33 Yours sincerely, Inspector.. Local Policing Unit Commander Back to main document Invitation to ABA meeting Appendix 11 Invitation to an ABC meeting Name of parents/guardians Address Date Dear Anti-social Behaviour Within area Recently there have been a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the.. area involving a group of young people. Your son / daughter has been identified as one of those responsible. We would like you to attend a meeting, with your son (s) / daughter (s) on (day), (date), (time). a.m. / p.m. at, to discuss this matter further. Representatives from the Police, Housing and Youth Offending Service may be present. I strongly urge you to attend, as it is very much in your interest to meet with the relevant officers and to talk about our concerns. Failure to turn up could lead to action being initiated against you or your child. If the above date and time is not convenient please contact me on the telephone number... at. Or leave a message in my absence. If the date and time is convenient please can you confirm your attendance. Yours sincerely, 33