Story perspectives

Respect Order lets courts ban adults from town centres

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 23:47 UTC · How we work

Read the story

Story summary

Summary

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood introduced Respect Order to curb persistent antisocial behaviour.
Courts can ban adults from town centres or prohibit public drinking hotspots.
Breaching a Respect Order can lead to up to two years’ jail or unlimited fines.
Police, councils, housing associations and transport networks may seek Respect Order for adult offenders.
Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society warned the vague definition could curb lawful speech.

History

Tony Blair’s government introduced anti-social behaviour orders through the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, later reinforced by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. By 2004 the Home Office recorded 12,000 ASBOs, costing about £1.5 billion. After the 2014 Act abolished them in England and Wales, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood launched the Respect Order, prompting criticism from Henry Jackson Society analyst Alan Mendoza.

1 of 2

Historical Context

Tony Blair’s government introduced anti-social behaviour orders through the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, later reinforced by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. By 2004 the Home Office recorded 12,000 ASBOs, costing about £1.5 billion. After the 2014 Act abolished them in England and Wales, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood launched the Respect Order, prompting criticism from Henry Jackson Society analyst Alan Mendoza.

1 / 2