Rre-legislative scrutiny of draft Anti-Social Behaviour Bill announced

Committee Chair, Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, has written to the Home Secretary to notify her of the Committee’s intention.

The draft Bill will give effect to the policies set out in the Government’s Anti-Social Behaviour White Paper, Putting Victims First (PDF) (Cm 8367).

A publication date has not yet been announced for the draft Bill, but the Committee expects to begin taking oral evidence early in the New Year. A call for written evidence will be issued as soon as the draft Bill is published.

Chair's comments

Committee Chairman Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP said:  

“The tragic case of Fiona Pilkington in Leicestershire demonstrates the terrible impact that anti-social behaviour can have, yet too often police forces and other agencies are slow to recognise and respond to emerging patterns of abuse and victimisation.

I very much welcome the Government’s decision to overhaul the statutory framework for tackling anti-social behaviour. We must ensure that the new Act is more robust than the original ASBO legislation, which has been amended every year since it was passed in 1998.

We will be scrutinising the Government’s forthcoming proposals carefully, drawing on the expertise and experience of the police, local authorities, housing providers and local communities who have first-hand experience of the problem. The Committee is keen to hear from individuals who have suffered from anti-social behaviour.”