Increasing the Duration of Closure Orders

The Home Office has launched a consultation in relation to increasing the duration of closure orders under the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The consultation closes on 31 July. Full details can be found here. 

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 gives the Secretary of State new powers to amend the duration of closure orders in the 2014 Act, subject to consultation. The government is therefore seeking views on increasing:

• the maximum duration of closure orders issued under section 80 of the 2014 Act; and
• the maximum period for which a given closure order can be extended under section 82, and the maximum overall duration of such an extended order

It is proposed to extend the maximum duration of a closure order from six months to 12 (inclusive of any extension).

We would like to know:

• Do you support extending closure orders to a maximum of 12 months? 
• What impact do you think longer closure orders would have on retailers and local high streets? 
• Should longer closure orders only be used in cases of serious criminality, or should they also apply to nuisance and anti-social behaviour?
• What safeguards, if any, do you think should be in place to ensure these powers are used fairly and proportionately?
• Is there anything else you'd like the Government to consider, including any examples from your own experience?

Members views on the consultation are requested by Friday 17 July - please send these to Lucy.