Residents around Old Street will be delighted that the Government are looking to stop the nuisance of e-bikes riding on the pavement. They are also clamping down on flytipping.
The Home Secretary has announced the introduction of “Respect Orders,” described as similar to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) previously begun by the Blair Government in 1999. They were replaced in 2014. She has said that persistent offenders in causing criminal damage, fly tipping, could receive prison sentences of up to two years, whilst the police will have the right to confiscate e-scooters being ridden on pavements.
Respect Orders could be given out by local authorities, police, or social landlords, to what are described as hooligans, drug users, street drinkers, nuisance neighbours, and others committing what it considered anti-social behaviour. Offenders could be banned from some areas including city centres and local parks. They could be forced to attend anger management courses or drug and alcohol treatment centres.
Breaching a “respect order” would become a criminal offence and make the perpetrator subject to police arrest. Police could seize vehicles they consider to involved in behaviour such as off road cycling in public parks, street racing, and cruising. These measures could come into force quickly, but the main conditions are anticipated to be introduced in another Crime and Policing Bill early next year and to be piloted in areas identified as having a high level of such behaviour before being rolled out nationwide.
Ms Cooper said the measures would ensure “offenders are dealt with before the behaviour can escalate. Anti-social behaviour chips away at communities’ sense of confidence and pride. Respect orders will give police and councils the powers to crack down on repeated behaviour.”