Respect Orders have been launched in Croydon to give police and local authorities stronger powers to tackle persistent adult antisocial behaviour, according to Sarah Jones, MP for Croydon West and Minister for Policing and Crime.
The orders allow courts to ban adult offenders from engaging in specified activities linked to their antisocial behaviour. For example, a person could be prevented from drinking alcohol in a particular area of a high street where their behaviour has repeatedly caused problems.
Jones said the measures are designed to protect victims, provide relief to affected communities and restore confidence in public spaces. She noted that antisocial behaviour is one of the issues that comes up most often when she speaks to people across Croydon West.
New powers to address persistent offending
Breaching a Respect Order will be a criminal offence, with perpetrators facing arrest, fines, community sentences and, in the most serious cases, prison sentences of up to two years. Jones said these are meaningful consequences for those who repeatedly disregard the impact of their actions on others.
The orders are part of the Crime and Policing Act introduced by Jones as minister, which she described as the biggest package of measures on crime and policing for decades. The Act also introduces new laws to cut crime and tackle shop theft and street crime.
Support and consequences for offenders
Respect Orders are not just about enforcement. They can include positive requirements that compel individuals to address the root causes of their behaviour, such as undertaking drug or alcohol treatment. Jones said that where support can make a difference, it is right to give people the opportunity to change, but where individuals continue to cause harm, there must be clear consequences.
Until now, there has been a significant gap in the powers available to tackle the most persistent adult antisocial behaviour offenders. Respect Orders aim to fill that gap, giving local agencies stronger enforcement capabilities and more effective ways to intervene when existing measures have not been enough.
Next steps for Croydon
For Croydon, the priority is turning these changes into practical action that residents can see and feel. Jones said this means working with police, local authorities, housing associations and community partners to ensure concerns are heard, persistent offenders are held accountable, and victims receive the support they need.
Jones said safer streets depend on effective enforcement, strong local partnerships and a determination to act when antisocial behaviour damages community life, and she will continue working to ensure these new powers make a real difference.
