VE Day: Council duties under the Armed Forces Covenant
As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Geoff Wild, Legal & Governance Consultant, looks at the duties of councils under the Armed Forces Covenant.
Police to deal with antisocial behaviour complaints
14/04/2025 Police forces in England and Wales are now required to respond to antisocial behaviour complaints within 72 hours. |
Councils set for new anti-social behaviour powers
22/11/2024 Police and councils will be able to put ‘tough restrictions’ on perpetrators of anti-social behaviour under new powers announced by the home secretary today. |
Poor information sharing causing delays in ASB cases
20/11/2024 Eight in 10 councils report that information sharing agreements between agencies cause delays when it comes to taking action against anti-social behaviour. |
Use of antisocial behaviour powers ‘erratic’, campaigners claim
19/11/2024 Local authorities have used antisocial behaviour powers to restrict activities such as ‘excessive’ beekeeping, cockerel crowing, and noisy pub quizzes. |
Labour to take ‘zero tolerance’ approach to anti-social behaviour
24/09/2024 Labour plans to introduce ‘zero tolerance’ zones in city and town centres to combat anti-social behaviour, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced. |
‘Little meaningful progress’ made in tackling anti-social behaviour
09/09/2024 Little progress has been made in improving the responses of councils and other agencies to complaints of anti-social behaviour, Victims' Commissioner says. |
Thanet council drops ‘foul language’ ban
23/08/2024 Thanet District Council members have dropped plans to ban the use of ‘foul language’ after free speech activists threatened to take legal action. |
New police powers ‘would mean more injustices’
17/05/2024 Police are ‘completely unqualified’ to receive new powers to ban activities in public places, a campaign group has argued. |
Council order to pay over £18k after severe maladministration findings
01/02/2024 Waltham Forest Council has been ordered to pay £18,800 in compensation after failings were discovered in three different housing cases. |
‘Three strikes and you’re out’ social housing plans announced
30/01/2024 Social landlords could soon be empowered to evict anti-social tenants and ban them from applying for council housing under the Government’s new plans. |
Street calls for PCC powers
02/11/2023 West Midlands mayor Andy Street has formally asked the Government to transfer police and crime commissioner (PCC) powers to the mayoralty. |
Labour announces programme to tackle youth crime
10/10/2023 Labour would set up a ‘young futures’ programme to help tackle crises in youth crime and mental health, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has announced. |
Labour to crackdown on anti-social behaviour
10/10/2023 Labour leader Keir Starmer will today promise local authorities stronger powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in town centres. |
Councils failing to tackle antisocial behaviour
15/08/2023 Local authorities are failing to use the tools available to them to tackle antisocial behaviour, according to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. |
Sandwell Council fails resident with depression
09/08/2023 Sandwell Council failed to consider a resident’s vulnerabilities during an anti-social behaviour case despite multiple reminders, Housing Ombudsman has found. |
First joint Ombudsmen investigation criticises complaint handling
08/08/2023 Nottingham CC has been criticised for the way it dealt with antisocial behaviour in what was the first joint investigation by the two Ombudsmen’s services. |
Councils issue record number of finds for 'busybody' offences
20/07/2023 Local authorities issued the highest ever number of penalties for anti-social behaviour – or for what have been branded 'busybody' offences – in 2022. |
Maximum fine for fly-tippers more than doubles
10/07/2023 The maximum amount local authorities will be able to fine people who are caught littering, fly-tipping or graffitiing has increased. |
Ombudsman highlights importance of proper complaints handling
09/06/2023 Ombudsman reminds local authorities about the importance of handling complaints properly after it found problems with two councils’ procedures. |
Council chiefs in Northern Ireland warn of intimidation
17/05/2023 Council leaders in Northern Ireland have raised concerns about the abuse and intimidation of candidates in this year’s local council election campaign. |
Council chiefs call for civility ahead of elections
24/04/2023 Council leaders have joined forces with the Jo Cox Foundation to call for civility towards candidates and officers running the local elections on 4 May. |
Sunderland e-scooter service axed due to vandalism
19/04/2023 The e-scooter provider Zwings has announced it is pulling out of Sunderland due to repeated acts of vandalism. |
Woman served 10-year anti-social behaviour injunction
24/03/2023 A woman who exploited vulnerable people has been served a 10-year anti-social behaviour injunction following an investigation by Milton Keynes City Council. |
Anti-social behaviour should be top priority, says report
07/02/2023 Tackling anti-social behaviour must become a central tenet of levelling up if the agenda is to succeed, a think-tank has warned. |
BCP Council proposes barbeque ban
25/01/2023 BCP Council has launched a consultation on proposals to prohibit barbeques in public spaces and other ‘negative behaviours’. |
Rough sleepers ‘criminalised’ by PSPOs
03/10/2022 People experiencing homelessness are disproportionately criminalised in areas with Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), a new report reveals. |
Expert panel launched to tackle anti-social behaviour from tenants
20/07/2022 A new advisory group has been launched by the Government to help social landlords deal with anti-social behaviour from tenants. |
Campaigners call for abortion clinic buffer zone
29/06/2022 Campaigners have called on BCP Council to implement a buffer zone around an abortion clinic in Bournemouth to prevent harassment from protestors. |
Just 2% of people understand anti-social behaviour rights
09/05/2022 Only one-in-fifty (2%) people fully understand their rights when it comes to anti-social behaviour, a new YouGov survey has revealed. |
New trial to crack down on 'rowdy' motorists
03/05/2022 A new trial to help local authorities tackle loud engines and exhausts on Britain’s noisiest streets has been launched by the Government. |
Safeguarding communities from anti-social behaviour with multi-agency enforcement
05/04/2022 Dyl Kurpil explains how effective Public Spaces Protection Order enforcement can rapidly transform a community, rebuilding trust and reinvigorating local economies. |
Liverpool e-scooter trial sees over 1,000 bans handed out
17/08/2021 Liverpool's e-scooter hire trial has seen more than 1,000 people handed seven-day bans for antisocial behaviour. |
Councils levy over £1m fines for COVID offences
18/06/2021 Councils have issued over £1m in fines to businesses for COVID offences, an investigation has unveiled. |
Tougher guidance on dealing with anti-social behaviour
01/02/2021 Local authorities have been given stronger guidance on tackling anti-social behaviour. |
Councils spending thousands on 'littering epidemic' in parks
24/07/2020 Councils have been forced to spend an extra £33,000 on average dealing with litter and anti-social behaviour in parks since lockdown was eased, according to a new survey. |
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Council seeks temporary drinking ban in London Fields Park
03/07/2020 Hackney Council is taking legal action to temporarily ban drinking in London Fields Park after high levels of antisocial behaviour. |
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Housing tenant issued Britain’s first ‘coronavirus injunction’
30/03/2020 The first ‘coronavirus injunction’ has been issued to a tenant in Manchester for breaking rules on social distancing. |
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Scrap ‘busybody ASBOs’, campaigners say
21/06/2019 Campaigners are calling for Community Protection Notices (CPNs) to be scrapped or seriously modified, saying they have resulted in serious injustice. |
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The rise of anti-social behaviour: Can we stop it?
04/06/2019 Rebecca Bryant suggests collaboration, communication and transparency are key to tackling the rise in anti-social behaviour. |
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Councils accused of ‘letting down’ victims of anti-social behaviour
30/04/2019 Local authority leaders have defended their record of dealing with anti-social behaviour after a report argues that victims are being ‘let down’ by councils and the police |
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Councils issue nearly 10,000 fines for ‘anti-social’ behaviour
23/04/2019 Campaigners have called for Public Spaces Protection Orders to be scrapped as new figures reveal there were nearly 10,000 on-the-spot fines issued in 2018. |
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Council to fine anti-social drivers
08/03/2019 Bradford Council have decided to crack down on drivers who play loud music, rev their engines, or engage in other acts deemed to be anti-social. |
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Council bans anti-abortion protests near clinic
07/03/2019 Richmond has prohibited anti-abortion protests outside a pregnancy advisory clinic after a consultation revealed the majority of residents supported a ban. |
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Council secures UK’s first Japanese Knotweed prosecution
07/12/2018 A Bristol property owner has become the first person to be prosecuted for failing to control the spread of Japanese Knotweed. |
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People convicted of serious crimes banned from councils
19/10/2018 Rules to prevent people found guilty of serious crimes from serving on local councils will be strengthened following a public consultation, the Government has announced. |
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Council warns of ‘postcode lottery’ over abortion buffer zones
14/09/2018 The government’s decision not to introduce buffer zones outside abortion clinics has been criticised by Ealing Council. |
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Council first to fine people for soliciting prostitutes
06/08/2018 An East London council is set to be the first to issue on-the-spot fines for people using prostitutes. |
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Council consults public on ‘aggressive’ begging legislation
24/07/2018 Wakefield Council has launched a consultation on proposals to use anti-social behaviour legislation to tackle ‘aggressive’ begging. |
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Court upholds abortion clinic safe zone
03/07/2018 Ealing Council has welcomed what it described as a ‘landmark decision’ by the High Court to uphold its right to establish a safe zone around abortion clinic. |
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Councils criticised for banning anti-abortion protests
30/05/2018 Councils wanting to restrict protests outside abortion clinics have been challenged by a group of campaigners, including human rights activist Peter Tatchell. |
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Windsor withdraw’s rough sleeping paper after royal wedding controversy
15/02/2018 Windsor and Maidenhead have decided to withdraw a paper detailing its plans to tackle rough sleeping and anti-social behaviour saying it needed ‘further work’. |
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District relaxes ban on 'anti-social cycling'
14/02/2018 Mansfield's District Council has relaxed its 24-hour ban on cycling in the town centre, which it said was introduced ‘to tackle anti-social cycling at busy times’. |
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Council to introduce PSPO to fight ‘verbal and racial abuse’
10/01/2018 Richmondshire council is set to introduce an order banning groups of youths congregating in Colburn after more than 200 incidents of anti-social behaviour were reported. |
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Council considers using PSPO against anti-abortion protestors
09/01/2018 A council is considering creating a ‘safe zone’ around a women's health clinic in order to prevent intimidation and harassment from anti-abortion protestors. |
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Councils warned not to abuse anti-social behaviour powers
02/01/2018 The Government has published new guidance warning councils against abusing anti-social behaviour powers after charities claim Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are being used to target people unfairly. |
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Councils issuing more than 4,000 CPNs a year
11/12/2017 Councils in England and Wales issued 4,376 Community Protection Notices (CPNs) over the course of a year, according to research by the Manifesto Club. |
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One million people blighted by ‘dirty’ communities
16/10/2017 One million people in Scotland are living in ‘dirty’ communities due to budget cuts and a lack of civic pride, a new report has revealed. |
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Council to fine dog walkers carrying less than two bags
06/09/2017 A city council is cracking down on dog fouling by fining dog walkers who are not carrying two bags. |
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Nearly half of councils using powers to ban anti-social behaviour
31/07/2017 More than 100 councils have used new powers to curb a range of anti-social behaviour – from begging to swearing – in a 16-month time period, according to a new report. |
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Council defends ban on swearing against human rights abuse accusations
09/03/2017 Rochdale Borough Council has defended proposals to ban swearing in the town centre against accusations it is curbing the ‘rights and freedoms’ of its residents. |
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Cornish towns launch ‘ground breaking’ CCTV project
20/12/2016 Eight West Cornwall town councils are cooperating to launch a ‘ground breaking’ CCTV project to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. |
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Drunken revellers beware of secret pee-back paint!
06/12/2016 Chester Council has decided to crack-down on drunken urinators by covering walls with liquid-repellent paint which causes ‘splash-back’. |
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How street furniture can discourage antisocial behaviour
01/11/2016 Sara Smith explains why with a bit of clever engineering, street furniture can discourage anti-social behaviour. |
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Councils urged to limit use of Community Protection Notices
31/10/2016 Local authorities have been accused of making up their own laws and invading people’s privacy through the use of Community Protection Notices (CPNs), by the Manifesto Club. |
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Troubled Families programme had no 'significant impact'
18/10/2016 There is little evidence that the government’s flagship Troubled Families programme had any ‘significant or systematic impact’, new analysis has revealed. |
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Council wins power to ban anti-social car races
19/08/2016 Solihull Council has been granted the legal power to enforce a borough-wide ban on motor vehicle races and car cruises |
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Report criticising PSPOs ‘trivialises’ anti-social behaviour, LGA says
04/08/2016 Council leaders defend the use of anti-social behaviour legislation against accusations they are creating ‘bizarre new criminal offences’. |
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Funding increase for councils to crack down on ‘cowboy’ landlords
22/01/2016 Councils will receive a £5m boost to help them tackle rogue landlords in their area, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis announced today. |
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Council confiscates nearly 60 tents from rough sleepers on council-owned land
22/12/2015 Exeter City Council has confiscated nearly 60 tents from rough sleepers over the past two years. |
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Council could fine dog walkers for failing to carry poo bags
02/12/2015 Dog owners could be fined £100 if they fail to take a poo bag out with them, under measures introduced by a Midlands council. |
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Councils could identify potential gang members at age seven
17/11/2015 The risk of children becoming involved in gang or youth violence can be identified from the age of seven, new research has revealed. |
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Council consults on late night levy
03/11/2015 A late night levy for businesses selling alcohol after 1am is being considered by Plymouth City Council. |
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Cuts could increase number of children in custody warn councils
05/10/2015 Youth Offending Team (YOT) funding cuts could increase the number of children in custody, council leaders warn. |
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Devolution deals should include power to tackle crime says Westminster
02/10/2015 Local government is entering the ‘most critical period’ in its history and must seize the opportunities offered by devolution, according to the leader of Westminster City Council. |
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Welsh county first with no-smoking beach
15/09/2015 Pembrokeshire could be the first county in Wales to have a smoke-free beach. |
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Oldham seizes van with new fly-tipping powers
09/09/2015 Oldham Council have used new powers to seize a vehicle suspected as being used for flytipping. |
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Man pleads guilty to assaulting council worker and beating dog
19/08/2015 A man has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and assault, after he was caught on CCTV beating a dog in Chelmsford city centre. |
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Councils bans ‘tombstoning’ at Salford Quays
05/08/2015 People caught ‘tombstoning’ in Salford Quays could face fines of £90 under new measures unveiled by the council. |
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Lambeth bans use of laughing gas
29/07/2015 Lambeth has become the first London borough to ban laughing gas and other legal highs. |
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Report warns environmental health has reached ‘tipping point’
27/07/2015 Vital environmental health services have been pushed to a ‘tipping point’ and further cuts could lead to food poisoning outbreaks and a rise in antisocial behaviour. |
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Urban beauty is being restricted to the rich says think tank
23/07/2015 Green spaces and beautiful urban surroundings are the realms of the wealthy, a report by the independent think tank ResPublica reveals. |
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Video reveals 12-month cat-and-mouse game between council and graffiti artist
03/07/2015 A graffiti artist has filmed his year-long battle against council cleaning crews who scrubbed off his ‘experiment’ on an east London wall 11 times. |
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Council reviews ‘no ball games’ signs in childhood obesity push
01/07/2015 A London borough could scrap many of its ‘no ball games’ signs in a bid to combat childhood obesity and help youngsters play. |
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Mind your language! Council introduces swearing ban
24/06/2015 A local authority in Ireland has introduced a by-law banning the use of offensive language in public parks, playgrounds and open spaces. |
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Council considers fines for dog walkers without poop bags
13/04/2015 A council could become the first in the country to fine dog walkers who can’t prove they have the means to clean up after their pet. |
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Councils hit back after new public space laws branded ‘bizarre’
30/03/2015 Council leaders have refuted claims that public spaces are being hit by a ‘patchwork’ of ‘bizarre’ new criminal offences introduced by town halls. |
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Early intervention guide launched for frontline staff
08/03/2015 New guidance has been launched to help frontline staff identify families in need of early intervention. |
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Legal highs banned from city in UK first
25/02/2015 An East Midlands city has become the first in the UK to ban use of ‘legal highs’, under efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour. |
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Higher police numbers 'crucial', warns London borough
21/01/2015 A London borough has warned there are 'not enough' local police to deal with the region's serious youth violence problem. |
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Government doubles troubled families specialists
19/01/2015 The number of specialists helping council’s troubled families teams are set to double this year, under £10m extra investment. |
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Council secures bike ban against burglar
07/01/2015 A burglar has been banned from riding a bicycle for two years after Oldham Council obtained a criminal behaviour order against him. |
