From today, Monday 26 October 2026, councils, the police and social landlords can ask the courts for a new kind of order against adults who cause anti-social behaviour. Respect Orders lead a set of changes in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 that apply across England and Wales.
What changes today
- Respect Orders. A county court or the High Court can make one against anyone aged 18 or over if satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that they have engaged in or threatened anti-social behaviour and that an order is just and convenient. An order can ban specific behaviour and can also require the person to do things, such as attend a course, to tackle the cause.
- Breach is a crime. Breaking a Respect Order without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. The maximum sentence in the Crown Court is two years in prison, a fine, or both.
- Youth and housing injunctions. The existing civil injunction now applies only to people aged 10 to 17 (a “youth injunction”). A separate “housing injunction” covers adults whose conduct is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance relating to housing.
- Longer police powers. A direction excluding someone from an area can now last up to 72 hours instead of 48, with a review by an inspector after 48 hours. Closure notice periods are also longer.
- Bigger fines. The maximum fixed penalty for breaching a community protection notice or a public spaces protection order rises from £100 to £500.
- Social landlords can close premises. Registered social housing providers, including Welsh registered social landlords, can now issue closure notices themselves for premises they own or manage, a power previously held only by councils and the police.
- A second look at your complaint. If you have applied for an ASB Case Review (once called the Community Trigger) and are unhappy with the outcome, you can now ask your local policing body, usually the police and crime commissioner, to review it. They must do so if they consider the review threshold was met.
Who it affects
Tenants, homeowners, councils and housing associations: anyone living with persistent anti-social behaviour, or accused of it. Only councils, the police, certain other public bodies and housing providers (where the behaviour affects their housing management) can apply for a Respect Order. You cannot apply yourself, but you can report the behaviour and ask them to act.
Under the Act, injunctions granted or applied for before today carry on under the old rules.
What to do now
- Keep a dated diary of every incident: what happened, how it affected you, and any photos, videos or witnesses.
- Report it to your council, your landlord if you rent, and the police where there is a crime or threat. Ask for a reference number each time.
- If reports go nowhere, ask your council about the ASB Case Review. If you are unhappy with the outcome, you can then ask your police and crime commissioner to look at it.
- If you have been told someone is applying for a Respect Order against you, get legal advice early. Breaching one is a criminal offence.
If the dispute is about where the boundary sits rather than behaviour, see our guide to dealing with a neighbour boundary dispute.
Getting help
A housing solicitor can help you push a council or landlord to act, or defend you if an order is sought against you. Tell us what has happened and we’ll match you with SRA-regulated firms that handle it.
This article is general information about the law in England and Wales, not legal advice.
Sources
- The Crime and Policing Act 2026 (Commencement No. 3 and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026, regulation 4 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Crime and Policing Act 2026, section 1: Respect orders (legislation.gov.uk)
- Crime and Policing Act 2026, section 2: Youth injunctions and housing injunctions (legislation.gov.uk)
- Crime and Policing Act 2026, section 4: Fixed penalty notices (legislation.gov.uk)
- Crime and Policing Act 2026, Schedule 2: Closure of premises by registered social housing provider (legislation.gov.uk)
- Crime and Policing Act 2026: anti-social behaviour factsheet (GOV.UK, Home Office)