What’s the difference between an ASBO and an ASBI?
An ASBO (anti-social behaviour order) is a civil order designed to protect the public from behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. An order contains conditions prohibiting the offender from carrying out specific anti-social acts or from entering defined areas, and is effective for a minimum of two years. ASBOs are not criminal sanctions and are not meant to punish the offender. ASBIs (anti-social behaviour injunctions) are also civil orders and are similar to ASBOs, but are used in the context of social housing and are obtained in the county court. An injunction prohibits the person concerned from engaging in the behaviour detailed in the injunction. Injunctions can be used to prevent a range of anti-social behaviour relating to housing and the wider neighbourhood, for example; using a property for drug dealing, playing loud music at night, barking dogs, verbal abuse and vandalism.
