Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that local authorities and agencies are sufficiently resourced to tackle those who engage in repeated anti-social behaviour and shoplifting; and what steps they are taking to ensure that those who do so cannot continue to engage in those activities without consequence.

Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a priority for this Government and a key commitment in the Government’s Plan for Change.

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 already gives social landlords, the police and local authorities a range of powers and tools to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviour, which are deliberately broad in nature to enable flexibility and local discretion in their use.

The Government is further strengthening powers available to police and other agencies through the Crime and Policing Act. The introduction of Respect Orders, a preventative civil order to address sustained and/ or highly disruptive ASB, will give local agencies stronger enforcement capability to tackle the most relentless adult ASB offenders and will be able to prohibit a wide range of behaviours.

We are also increasing the upper limit for fixed penalty notices for breaches of Community Protection Notices and Public Space Protection Orders from £100 to £500, increasing the time a dispersal direction can be implemented for from 48 to 72 hours and giving registered social housing providers the power to issue closure notice.