Public order

This subtopic outlines the main powers available to local authorities (LAs) to keep public order in their areas and tackle incidents and patterns of anti-social actions. It covers:

  1. the remedies contained in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (ABCPA 2014)

  2. general power to prosecute, defend or appear in any legal proceedings contained in section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972 (LGA 1972)

  3. non-statutory enforcement powers specific to LAs

  4. LA power to create byelaws

  5. common law powers

Remedies contained in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (ABCPA 2014)

ABCPA 2014 received Royal Assent on 13 March 2014 and has reformed the tools available to LAs, police and other agencies for dealing with anti-social behaviour (ASB). The aim of the legislation was to consolidate remedies and to make the process simpler and more effective. In July 2014, the government issued new statutory guidance which is regularly updated—Reform of anti-social behaviour powers: statutory guidance for frontline professionals.

The Home Office published the Anti-social behaviour principles developed by the Anti-social Behaviour Strategic Board to describe a consistent approach

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Latest Local Government News

Local Government weekly highlights—3 July 2025

This week's edition of Local Government weekly highlights includes: case analysis of Norton v London Borough of Haringey, in which the court considers whether an LHA can determine the suitability of offered accommodation if it has not prepared a lawful assessment under HA 1996, s 189A(1) and Surrey CC v R (BC), in which the Court of Appeal provides an overview of the time frames involved for bringing a claim for judicial review, confirmation of when an LA is duty-bound to accommodate a child under ChA 1989, s 20 and clarity on the alternative methods that can be employed to children not deemed a ‘child in need’ and not requiring accommodation. Case reports include Mother v LA (ALC and CoramBAAF intervening), in which the court ruled that it was not in the child’s best interest for the court to make sibling contact order while granting a placement for adoption order for the younger child as it might deter potential adopters; X and Y v BBC, in which the court found BBC’s application for access to documents from care proceedings to be aimed at issues outside scope of court’s functioning and should be pursued through other mechanisms; Anwar v Ealing LBC, in which the court affirmed that construction of a crossover outside the appellant property under HiA 1980, s 184(11) was lawful as statutory provisions do not require consent of adjacent affected property owners; and Smith v Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court, in which the court dismissed an appeal against obstruction of a highway under HiA 1980, s 137 with the central issue being whether land adjacent to Vauxhall Bridge constituted a public highway under HiA 1980, s 31. It also includes latest coverage on the implementation of Awaab’s Law including the government’s consultation response and draft guidance. It includes further updates on Social housing, Public procurement, Education, Local government finance, Social care, Licensing and Planning.

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