AQW 4123/16-21 Written question to the Minister of Justice
To ask the Minister of Justice whether she plans to provide power of dispersal to the PSNI.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 28 September 2016
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 28 September 2016
- Answer due by
- 13 October 2016
- Answered
- 6 October 20168 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Justice
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Building safer communities by preventing anti-social behaviour and reducing the harm that it causes is a key priority for my Department.
The Anti-social Behaviour (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 was introduced prior to the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive. The then Secretary of State, Paul Goggins MP, did not introduce Dispersal Orders at that time.
During the public consultation for the current Community Safety Strategy 2012-2017, respondents to the consultation endorsed a preventive approach to anti-social behaviour, with enforcement seen as a last resort. There were no compelling arguments in support of Dispersal Orders.
My Department is, however, represented on several groups to strategically address anti-social behaviour and its associated issues. The outworking of which has led me to ask my officials to scope out, in association with relevant stakeholders, how a holistic review of anti-social behaviour can be taken forward.