EXISTING POWERS PROTECT

There are wide ranging powers available for authorities to keep public order and protect the public from genuine harassment and intimidation. Such powers are already so wide ranging and discretionary that civil rights campaigners have consistently criticised them.

Public order powers include local injunctions to prevent nuisance or annoyance, and include powers of arrest as well as criminal behaviour orders for problem individuals. There are wide powers to prosecute assault and harassment in the Criminal Justice Act 1998, Protection Against Harassment Act 1997 and in the Public Order Act 1986.

The police also have powers of dispersal under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2014 and the Public Order Act 1986.