Anti-social Behaviour

HC Deb 11 April 2003 vol 403 cc424-5W

Vernon Coaker

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers are available to(a) local authorities and (b) the police to tackle problems of anti-social behaviour in private properties. [108025]

Mr. McNulty

To supplement the full range of criminal law that the police may use, the Government have introduced a wide range of measures to help both local authorities and the police tackle anti-social behaviour, notably Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and fixed penalty notices for disorder offences.

Additional powers are being introduced in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill to give local authorities tools to deal with anti-social behaviour. The draft Housing Bill proposes powers to allow local authorities to license private landlords in areas of low housing demand or anti-social behaviour.