Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help police forces reduce incidences of vehicular-assisted anti-social behaviour; and whether she plans to grant the police additional powers to tackle those incidences.

Enforcement of road traffic law is an operational matter for the Chief Constable based on local policing priorities.

We believe there are sufficient powers to address incidents of vehicular-assisted anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 provides the police with the power to deal with ASB when a motor vehicle has caused, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public. This includes the power to seize the vehicles.

In addition, the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers that they can use to respond quickly and effectively to ASB. This includes Civil Injunctions and Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).

On 27 March 2023 the Government published the Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan. The Plan commits to tackling ASB across five key themes: stronger punishment; making communities safer; building local pride; prevention and early intervention; and improving data, reporting and accountability for action.

It is for local authorities, forces and agencies to decide how best to use these powers depending on the specific circumstances as they are best placed to understand what is causing the behaviour in question, the impact that it is having, and to determine the most appropriate response.