Community protection notices

Community Protection Notices (CPN’s) were introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2014. They are there to deal with conduct that is causing anti-social behaviour and can be issued to -

  • any individual over the age of 16
  • businesses
  • organisations

Community Protection Notices are designed to deal with conduct taking place. This is where it is -

  • having a detrimental effect on the quality of those in the locality
  • of a persistent nature
  • unreasonable

CPN’s can be served by us, as well as by -

  • police officers
  • police community support officers (PCSO’s)
  • social landlords if designated by us

There are no restrictions in legislation on the types of behaviour CPN’s can be used to deal with. Examples of behaviour can include -

  • untidy land
  • noise issues
  • street litter
  • nuisance vehicles
  • waste and litter problems, associated with households and businesses
  • troublesome tenants
  • persons who are causing -
    • alarm
    • distress
    • harassment
  • irresponsible landlords

Community Protection Warning

Before the decision to issue a CPN, persons, businesses or organisations, will be given a formal written warning. It is legally called a Community Protection Warning (CPW). This may be because the persons are causing persistent detriment to the local area.

The purpose of any CPW is to give a warning. It warns that a CPN will be issued unless the conduct described changes. It needs to stop having a detrimental effect on the quality of life in the area.

A CPW will confirm that should a breach of any CPN take place this would be a criminal offence.

The amount of time required between a CPW having to be issued and a CPN would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

A CPN issued will list the following requirements -

  • detail the conducts taking place
  • the requirements to stop doing something specified and to do some specified action
  • to take reasonable steps to achieve a specified result. This is aimed at preventing the effect of unacceptable conduct continuing. Or, it aims to prevent the likelihood of it recurring
  • confirm any breach of the CPN is an offence
  • explain what may happen should any breach of a CPN take place
  • detail rights of appeal

Penalties

If any CPN issued is breached, this is an offence and may result in one or more of the following actions being taken -

  • fixed penalty
  • items used in commission of any offence being forfeited, or seized
  • the council executing remedial works in default of the other person. Any costs and expenditure incurred will be recovered. This may be placed as a Local Land Charge until paid, or otherwise recovered through the courts
  • prosecution and a maximum penalty of £2,500 or in the case of any business or other such body £20,000

Appeals

  • a person issued with a CPN can Appeal to a Magistrates' Court with 21 days of service of the notice
  • while an Appeal is pending, positive requirements to do specified things are suspended. Any requirements stopping a person from doing specified things continue to have effect
  • a person who failed to follow a CPN can Appeal to the Magistrates' Court. This must be within 21 days of been giving notice of a charge for works carried out if they think it is excessive