Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003
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| Long title | An Act to make provision in connection with anti-social behaviour. |
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| Citation | 2003 c. 38 |
| Introduced by | David Blunkett |
| Territorial extent |
  England and Wales
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| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 20 November 2003 |
| Commencement | in force |
| Other legislation | |
| Relates to | Local Government Act 1972, Housing Act 1995, Noise Act 1996, Housing Act 1996, Crime and Disorder Act 1998, Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, Police Reform Act 2002, Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 |
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Status: Current legislation
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (c.38) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which almost entirely applies only to England and Wales. The Act, championed by then Home Secretary, David Blunkett, was passed in 2003. As well as strengthening the anti-social behaviour order and Fixed Penalty Notice provisions, and banning spray paint sales to people under the age of 16, it gives local councils the power to order the removal of graffiti from private property.
It also specifically addresses truancy, crack houses, false reports of emergency, fireworks, public drunkenness and gang activity.
Part I of the Act ("Premises where drugs used unlawfully") enables the police to close residential premises concerned in the use, production or supply of Class A drugs and which are associated with serious nuisance or disorder to members of the public in the preceding three months. After such a notice has been served, within 48 hours a Magistrates' Court must consider the application, and can make a closure order under Section 2, known as a "Class A drug, supply, distribution or production premises closure Order". The effect of the order is that no-one may enter the premises whilst the order is in place, and it becomes a criminal offence to do so.
Part IA of the Act ("Premises associated with persistent disorder or nuisance") was inserted by Section 118 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, and came into force in December 2008. Known as a Part 1A Closure Order or Antisocial Behaviour Closure Order the new Sections 11A-11L of the 2003 Act permit the police or local authority to apply to Magistrates to close premises where they are satisfied that within the preceding three months the premises have been associated with "significant and persistent disorder or persistent serious nuisance to members of the public." The order can be made in respect of business or residential premises. Similar to the Part 1 Order (Crack House Closure Order), it becomes an offence to remain in or re-enter the premises for the duration of the order.
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