What act introduced anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs)?

• A. Crime and Disorder Act 1998
• B. Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999
• C. Criminal Justice Act 1991
• D. Police and Justice Act 2006

Answer: (A)

ASBOs were created to address persistent anti-social behaviour by giving courts the power to impose civil orders that restrict a person’s conduct, with breach punished as a criminal offence. The act that first introduced these orders was the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. It set up the framework for issuing anti-social behaviour orders to curb nuisance, intimidation, and other disruptive actions affecting the community. The other acts listed did not introduce ASBOs: the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 dealt with youth justice and evidential procedures, the Criminal Justice Act 1991 reformed various criminal procedures, and the Police and Justice Act 2006 expanded anti-social behaviour measures but did not originate ASBOs.