Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Antisocial Behaviour

Monday 8 June 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial powers have been strengthened to seize vehicles used antisocially without prior warning.
  • The government aims to address the root causes of antisocial behaviour through immediate police action.
  • The Minister will hold a roundtable to discuss proposals to tackle wildlife crime, including the use of catapults.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jim Dickson Lab Dartford
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Residents in Darenth and other parts of Dartford are facing persistent antisocial riding issues involving motorbikes and quad bikes, affecting local woodlands for several years. The police have started using powers under the Crime and Policing Act to seize vehicles and issue community protection notices.

Question

Residents of Darenth and other parts of my constituency are facing persistent nuisance owing to the antisocial riding of motorbikes and quad bikes in local woodlands over the last few years. I know from my conversations with the new district commander for Dartford and Gravesham that the police are starting to use the powers in the Crime and Policing Act to seize and crush vehicles and issue community protection notices to offenders. Can the Minister tell Dartford residents how those new powers, and other Government measures, will finally tackle this antisocial behaviour at source?

Answer from Sarah Jones

Through the Crime and Policing Act, we have strengthened police powers to swiftly seize vehicles that are used antisocially. We have stripped away the requirement to issue a warning, which enables officers to act immediately to take vehicles off the streets, and we are introducing new respect orders, which can tackle persistent offenders in this and other areas. We have just carried out a consultation, and will shortly be looking at what we can do to shorten the period for police dispersal so that these things can be crushed more quickly.

Answered
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Q2 Jim Dickson Lab Dartford
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question follows a previous one about antisocial riding in local woodlands, and the police's use of new powers under the Crime and Policing Act to seize vehicles. The background includes persistent issues affecting residents.

Question

Residents are experiencing significant nuisance due to motorbike and quad bike antisocial riding in local woodlands over several years. Given that the police have begun using powers from the Crime and Policing Act, can you outline how these new measures will effectively address the root causes of this antisocial behaviour?

Answer from Sarah Jones

I think we all share the hunger to tackle this awful crime, which blights communities. Through the Crime and Policing Act, we have strengthened police powers to swiftly seize vehicles that are used antisocially. We have stripped away the requirement to issue a warning, which enables officers to act immediately to take vehicles off the streets, and we are introducing new respect orders, which can tackle persistent offenders in this and other areas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: shortening the period for police dispersal

How: Looking At What We Can Do To Shorten The Period

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Q3 Jessica Brown-Fuller Lib Dem Chichester
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

There has been a rise in violence towards wildlife, often involving the use of catapults. Studies indicate that pet abuse is frequently linked to domestic violence; seven out of ten victims of domestic violence who owned pets reported their abusers threatening or harming their pets.

Question

In my constituency and across the country we have seen a troubling rise in violence towards wildlife, often with the use of catapults. Studies show that pet abuse is commonly linked to domestic violence; seven out of ten victims report threats or harm to their pets by abusers. Will the Minister consider Holly's law which proposes an animal cruelty register to deter wildlife crime and other violent acts?

Answer from Sarah Jones

We will certainly look at any proposals to tackle wildlife crime. I know that the use of catapults is a particular issue. This week I shall be holding a roundtable with interested parties, including those who may raise similar concerns as the hon. Lady. We fund the national rural crime unit and the national wildlife crime unit which provides additional resources for tackling these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: details of Holly's Law implementation

How: Holding A Roundtable, Keeping All Options On The Table

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