Anti-social behaviour order

An anti-social behaviour order (ASBO /ˈæzboʊ/) was a civil order made in the United Kingdom against a person who had been shown, on the balance of evidence, to have engaged in anti-social behaviour. The orders were introduced by Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1998 and continued in use until 2015. They were designed to correct minor incidents that would not ordinarily warrant criminal prosecution. The orders restricted behaviour in some way, such as prohibiting a return to a certain area or shop, or restricting public behaviour such as swearing or drinking alcohol. Many saw the ASBO as connected with young delinquents. ASBOs were superseded by the Injunction (a civil tort) and the Criminal Behaviour Order which were introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.