New powers welcomed to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour
New civil powers to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour have been welcomed by members of the St Helens Community Safety Partnership.
Article date: 21 September 2026
They're known as 'Respect Orders' and give councils, police and housing providers stronger powers to deal with repeat offenders under the Crime and Policing Act 2026.
A council report on Respect Orders was presented to the Community Safety Partnership, with members asked to pledge their support to a multi-agency task group to ensure local readiness for the introduction of these new powers on 26 October.
Respect Orders can be used to strengthen response to local issues like persistent street drinking, harassment and intimidation, vandalism and nuisance vehicles - which continue to impact communities across St Helens Borough.
They can be applied for against an adult (18 years or over) where the court is satisfied that the individual has engaged or is threatening to engage in anti-social behaviour, and where the order might prevent further offences.
Respect Orders can prevent individuals from entering particular locations, associating with named individuals, consuming alcohol in identified areas, and causing nuisance, intimidation or harassment.
Unlike existing civil injunctions, breach of a Respect Order is a criminal offence. Police will lead on enforcement and can make arrests, while prosecutions can be brought through criminal courts, where penalties can range from fines to community service and even imprisonment.
Respect Orders are available to police, councils and social housing providers, meaning that key partners can all respond effectively to issues in their remits.
Councillor Sharon Roughley, Deputy Council Leader, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities and Chair of the St Helens Community Safety Partnership, said:
"Our Community Safety Partnership members around the table have welcomed these new powers which will provide a more immediate and robust response to persistent offenders and quicker relief to affected communities.
"Respect Orders will support our partnership's wider work to protect our residents, businesses and visitors, alongside everyday police work and our own anti-social behaviour outreach, as well as other tools like the public space protection order in place in St Helens Town Centre."
Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson, Merseyside Police Area Commander for Knowsley and St Helens, said:
"It's encouraging to see St Helens Community Safety Partnership recognise the potential of Respect Orders to tackle anti-social behaviour early, protect victims and hold offenders to account.
"Through the Merseyside Anti-Social Behaviour Partnership, we are committed to using all available powers to address ASB, and Respect Orders provide another valuable tool to support that work.
"Anti-social behaviour can have a significant impact on individuals and communities, particularly when it is persistent, targeted or affects people in their own homes. We're pleased that reports of ASB and ASB-related crime have fallen by 3% across Merseyside this year, and by almost 6% in St Helens.
"Alongside this reduction, over the past 12 months, Merseyside Police has secured 101 Criminal Behaviour Orders and four Closure Orders. We have also issued 98 Community Protection Warnings and 22 Community Protection Notices, demonstrating our commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour and protecting communities.
"No one should have to live with persistent anti-social behaviour, and we will continue using every available power to protect our communities."
Director of Housing Services at Torus, Dean Wall, said:
"We welcome the introduction of Respect Orders as an important additional tool in tackling persistent anti-social behaviour and improving the quality of life for our customers and communities.
"As a key partner within the Community Safety Partnership, we have been working closely with colleagues across housing, local authority and policing services to ensure we are ready for implementation.
"These new powers will strengthen our collective ability to respond to repeat offenders, support victims more effectively and take swift, coordinated action where persistent anti-social behaviour is having a detrimental impact on neighbourhoods."
While the respect order replaces the civil injunction for adults, a separate route is retained for young people, now formally called a youth injunction.
Report it
Anyone who wishes to report anti-social or criminal behaviour can contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.
Anyone with information on antisocial behaviour in their area is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre'.
You can also report information via our website: Report a crime | Merseyside Police or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: Giving information | Crimestoppers . In an emergency always call 999.