Criminal Behaviour Orders

Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBO) were created by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and are used to target persistent offenders of anti-social behaviour who also commit criminal offences. They can be issued to adults and children over 10 years of age.

Upon conviction of any criminal offence an application can be made to the court by the Police via the Crown Prosecution Service for a CBO. The offence the individual is convicted of does not have be related to the anti-social behaviour they cause. What does have to be shown is that the individual acted in a manner that caused alarm, harassment, or distress to another person.

Criminal Behaviour Orders can provide long term relief for communities, including business communities, from the debilitating impact of anti-social behaviour. The prohibitions within the CBO tackle the specific anti-social behaviour shown by the offender, or groups of offenders.

The success of a CBO relies on partnership working by police, councils, businesses, individuals, and partner agencies not only to gather evidence to obtain the CBO but also in enforcing a CBO when one has been granted. If your business is experiencing repeated ASB or crime the powers within the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 can be used to protect you. Contact your local police force for advice.

The NBCC guide to CBOs explains more about how CBOs are used and the role a business can play in gathering evidence to support them.