Introduction
2025 saw the introduction of multiple pieces of legislation into Parliament. Whilst it is unclear about whether these laws will be passed during 2026, we feel it important to keep you updated on the progression of these bills and what their introduction could mean for you. We also want to empower victims to report anti-social behaviour (ASB) and exercise their rights when their reports are mishandled by local agencies.
Crime and Policing Bill
If the Crime and Policing Bill makes its way through all the stages of the parliamentary process this year, we could see its roll out of new and extended powers. This could include a trialling period for Respect Orders, which may take place in hotspot areas across the country.
What does this mean for victims?
When this law is introduced, victims can expect that persistent perpetrators of ASB will be served a Respect Order. You can find more on Respect Orders and what they are here.
Likewise, the introduction of the Crime and Policing Bill could see greater involvement of housing providers in tackling ASB given that this bill will provide them with greater powers e.g. ability to seek housing-related injunctions, extended closure powers. If housing providers embrace these new powers, more victims may view their housing providers as viable avenues for support, improving trust.
Victim and Courts Bill
This bill was introduced to Parliament in May 2025.
Once passed, this bill will strengthen the Victims’ Commissioner’s powers. The Victims Commissioner will continue to act as a formal independent body but will be able to investigate and scrutinise individual cases, challenge failures by local agencies, and exert pressure for better responses.
Sentencing Bill
For many ASB victims, the Sentencing Bill might feel distant or irrelevant, especially when they struggle to get agencies to take their reports seriously in the first place – long before a case ever reaches court or sentencing. Nonetheless, for those cases that do reach court proceedings, this Bill is a significant development in tackling ASB and could have a big impact.
The Sentencing Bill will mean:
- Short sentences (under 12 months) would no longer automatically result in time in prison; instead, the offender could be sentenced to community-based punishments (e.g. unpaid work, curfews etc).
- Courts may suspend sentences up to 3 years depending on circumstances.
- Courts will have more flexibility to impose non-custodial restrictions e.g. injunctions.
What does this mean for victims?
Importantly, this Bill makes victim protection a statutory focus, explicitly advising to consider victim impact. This Bill should also provide courts with a broader ‘toolbox’ – meaning sanctions could be tailored to the offence and risk, better protecting victims and communities.
However, from our own conversations with victims, we understand and appreciate that some victims may initially feel that the perpetrator has ‘gotten away with it’ if they avoid a custodial sentence. We hope that community-based sanctions and monitoring will prevent reoffending and give victims a sense of stability and peace.
Updates to local processes for the ASB Case Review
Since the updates to the statutory guidance on ASB Case Reviews in 2025, we would hope to see local agencies renewing their local ASB Case Review processes in line with this guidance.
What can victims do?
One of the best ways to ensure ASB is addressed effectively is to ensure that you are keeping a consistent and detailed log of incidents and evidence which can help agencies and courts to decide on appropriate action to take.
You can find some tips for evidence collection here.
Whether you have/are a victim of anti-social behaviour or not, you can also stay aware of local community safety meetings which are a great opportunity to have your voice heard by local agencies regarding your concerns.
Conclusion
We remain optimistic about policy developments expected throughout 2026. We will continue to monitor their impact closely and listen to the experiences of both victims and practitioners, using this insight to shape and inform our future work.