§ Mr. McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce measures to protect residents in the private housing sector from intimidation, harassment and nuisance from their neighbours. [9172]
§ Mr. MichaelWe intend to introduce community safety orders in the Crime and Disorder Bill. Under our proposals, courts will be given the power to grant such orders on the application of a local authority or the police. The order will apply to a named individual or individuals and would require that person or persons to desist from specified anti-social behaviour. A breach of the order will be a criminal offence which would carry stiff penalties—including the possibility of imprisonment. An order will be able to protect the residents of private houses from anti-social behaviour by their neighbours in the same way that it will protect other people.