Public order

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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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