Criminal Behaviour Orders
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This guidance outlines the provisions and processes related to Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), established under the Sentencing Act 2020. It details the conditions for making a CBO, including evidential considerations, application procedures, and the roles of various agencies such as the police and local authorities. The guidance aims to assist prosecutors in applying for and managing CBOs effectively, ensuring they are used appropriately to prevent offending behavior.
Key points
- CBOs are applicable upon conviction for any criminal offence.
- The court may impose both prohibitions and requirements in a CBO.
- Evidence of harm must meet criminal standards even if previously unconvicted behaviour is considered.
- CBOs replace the previous Anti-social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).
- Local authorities can directly request a CBO application from the CPS.
Public-interest factors
- High public interest in protecting communities from anti-social behaviour.
- Potential for escalation of behavior if not addressed.
- Provisions for vulnerable victims must be considered.
- Previous convictions and patterns of behavior are relevant for evaluation.
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.