HOME OFFICE News
Release (213/2008) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 1
December 2008
A tough new power
to close premises involved in persistent anti-social behaviour
comes into force today, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced at a
conference for frontline anti-social behaviour practitioners.
Police and local authorities can now apply to magistrates'
courts to close privately owned, rented, commercial and local
authority premises. The new Premises Closure Order extends crack
house closure powers, which have been used successfully to close
over 1,000 crack houses and bring respite to hundreds of local
communities since they were introduced in 2004, to other premises
associated with persistent nuisance.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
"Anti-social behaviour has no place in our daily lives.
Perceptions of anti-social behaviour have fallen in recent years
but we will never let our guard down. I want the public to know
that we're right behind them and taking action.
"The new premise closure order power will enable police
forces and local authorities to close any premises - privately
owned or rented accommodation - that cause significant and
persistent disorder in the local community. That means no-one will
be able to hide from the law if they cause serious nuisance to
their neighbours.
"Premises closures will only be used as a last resort, but
they make it clear that anyone who thinks they can flout the law
and get away with it is just plain wrong."
Households will have plenty of warning that a closure is
imminent. The closure power has been used successfully in Scotland
since 2004. Twenty-six premises have been closed including a
massage parlour in Strathclyde which had made life hell for the
local community with constant visitors, kerb crawlers and
harassment of female residents.
Councillor Hazel Harding, Chair for the Local Government
Association's Safer Communities Board, said:
"Councils work 24/7 to keep residents safe and local areas
free of anti-social behaviour. Premises closure orders will be a
useful weapon in helping councils create places where people want
to live.
"It's important to be clear though, councils will only
ever use these orders as a last resort and after giving people
every possible warning. Town halls will always be careful to
consider the effect that a premises closure order could have on
children and vulnerable adults."
Local authorities and police are expected to use this power as a
last resort, once the full range of appropriate anti-social
behaviour interventions have been tried without success.
Owner-occupiers and tenants will be able to return to their
properties after three month period and will continue to be
monitored to ensure they have changed their behaviour. Local
authorities and police can apply for an extension if they believe
it would be in the community's best interest. Anyone who
breaches the terms of the order by returning to the premise could
face up to six months in prison and or a £5,000 fine.
NOTE TO EDITORS
1. Premises Closure Orders were created by the Criminal Justice
and immigration Bill which received Royal Assent on 9 May 2008.
2. Guidance is being sent to all anti-social behaviour
co-ordinators and will be available to download from the
anti-social behaviour website http://www.respect.gov.uk.
3. The Home Secretary addressed anti-social behaviour frontline
practitioners about the use of the premises closure order and the
importance of all anti-social behaviour tools and powers at a
conference in London today, while Home Office Minister Alan
Campbell spoke at the Northern Housing Consortium conference.
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