The Labour Party has endorsed the introduction of new ‘respect orders’ aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour, though details on their implementation remain unclear. The proposal is part of Labour’s broader strategy to address persistent issues such as public drinking and drug use by empowering authorities to ban repeat adult offenders from town centres and other public spaces.
The new respect orders are reminiscent of the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) introduced under Tony Blair’s government. ASBOs, which were intended to curb disruptive behaviour, faced significant criticism and were deemed largely ineffective, with half of the orders being breached and two-thirds of breaches occurring more than once. Consequently, ASBOs were abolished in 2014.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson acknowledged that the previous Labour government did not fully resolve the issue of anti-social behaviour but emphasized that it was proactive in addressing the problem through increased policing and legal measures. She conceded that while Labour’s earlier efforts identified the problem, the situation has deteriorated under the Conservative government, which, according to Johnson, has neglected neighbourhood policing and support for victims.
Speaking to Sky News, Dame Diana reiterated the main goal of the new respect orders: to prevent prolific offenders from entering town centres and other public spaces. She stressed that breaches of these orders would likely lead to criminal sanctions, though the specific processes and mechanisms for enforcing the new orders are still under development.
The minister also addressed criticisms from the victims’ commissioner, who has highlighted ongoing inadequacies in police and council responses to anti-social behaviour. Dame Diana expressed frustration that progress on this issue has been insufficient over recent decades, calling for a more coordinated and effective approach to supporting victims and addressing community concerns.
In addition to the respect orders, Labour has pledged to increase the number of neighbourhood police officers, police community support officers (PCSOs), and special constables by 13,000. Dame Diana defended the role of PCSOs, countering claims that they are ineffective in managing anti-social behaviour. She emphasized that PCSOs, alongside full-time police officers, play a valuable role in community engagement and maintaining a visible presence on the streets.
However, the minister could not specify the exact distribution between full-time officers and PCSOs within the promised 13,000 new positions. Establishing these details remains a priority for her as she continues to settle into her role.
The introduction of respect orders and the planned increase in police personnel reflect Labour’s commitment to addressing anti-social behaviour and enhancing community safety, although the party still faces challenges in detailing and executing these measures effectively.
