ASB, Community Safety and the Need for Clearer Local Reporting
Anti-social behaviour is often described as “low level”, but for the people living with it, it can shape how safe they feel in their street, their town centre, their housing block or their journey home.
In May 2026, the Government’s updated Crime and Policing Act 2026 factsheet on anti-social behaviour brought renewed focus to how ASB is recorded, understood and responded to across England and Wales.
What happened?
The factsheet highlights several changes linked to tackling ASB, including new Respect Orders, extended dispersal powers, higher fixed penalty notice limits for breaches of Public Space Protection Orders and Community Protection Notices, and new requirements for local agencies to report specified ASB data to the Home Office.
One of the most important points is the recognition that there is currently a gap in national ASB data, particularly around reports made to non-police agencies such as local authorities and social housing providers.
The Government says collecting this information will help build a clearer picture of how ASB powers are being used and how targeted interventions are working.
Why it matters
For communities, this matters because ASB is rarely experienced through one agency alone:
A resident may report concerns to a council, a BID, a housing provider, a neighbourhood team or the police
A business may see repeated issues outside its premises
A young person may avoid a certain route because of groups gathering, intimidation or drug-related activity
That is why joined-up communication is just as important as enforcement.
imabi’s View
At imabi, this is exactly where platforms such as imabi Connect can support local authorities, BIDs and community safety partners.
When local reporting routes are clear, trusted information is easy to access, and communities know where to raise concerns, agencies are better placed to understand what is happening on the ground.
Technology alone does not solve anti-social behaviour - but the right digital infrastructure can help connect people, places and agencies, making it easier to report concerns, share updates, signpost support and respond before issues escalate.
Source: Gov.uk, May 2026