New ‘respect’ antisocial behaviour orders risk becoming ‘busybody’s charter’

NEW powers allowing police, councils, transport networks and housing associations to tackle antisocial behaviour risk becoming a busybody’s charter, civil rights campaigners believe.

From today, public bodies in England and Wales could start applying for the so-called “respect orders” to impose tougher restrictions like curfews or bans from town centres in civil courts. 

Breaching a respect order will be a criminal offence, punishable by up to two years’ jail, the Home Office has said.