Manchester’s Police have been given a number of new powers to deal with incidents of antisocial behaviour.

The powers are designed to provide better protection for victims and communities, as well as acting as a real deterrent to offenders, and will ensure that incidents of ASB can be dealt with quickly and easily.

The changes will see 19 of the current powers replaced with six simpler, more flexible ones that give victims a say on how agencies tackle ASB.

The reformed powers include Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) being replaced with Civil Injunctions, the introduction of Community Protection Notices, and enhanced closure powers.

ASBOs were a controversial flagship law and order policy from the days of Tony Blair and were designed to act as a deterrent to loutish behaviour.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, GMP’s lead on ASB, said: “In addition to these six new powers, the legislation also allows communities to have more of a say in how the police and other agencies deal with ASB. For example, the Community Remedy allows the public to have a say in how offenders are dealt with, and the ASB Case Review allows victims to hold police and partners to account.

“Collectively these new powers will simplify and improve our ability to deal with ASB in the way that communities expect, and we will use them to their full extent to improve people’s quality of life across Greater Manchester.”

Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd added: “Tackling and reducing antisocial behaviour is a priority for me. I am determined to make sure councils, police and communities work together to address the scourge of ASB.

“It is essential that communities and victims have a direct say in how ASB is prevented and addressed, how perpetrators are challenged, and how offenders are punished.”

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