> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Policing Minister says new Respect Orders will help tackle anti-social behaviour in Newcastle-under-Lyme - URL: https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/policing-minister-says-new-respect/ - Published: 2026-10-26T09:04:20.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-26T09:04:20.000Z - Description: Policing Minister Sarah Jones has visited Newcastle-under-Lyme as new Respect Orders giving authorities additional powers to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour are rolled out. - Author: The Staffordshire Signal Newsroom - Tags: Politics, #top-story ****THE SIGNAL BRIEF** ****What’s new:** New Respect Orders are being rolled out, giving police, councils and housing associations additional powers to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour. ****Why it matters:** The orders could be used to restrict repeat offenders from areas including Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre, or require them to undertake treatment. ****What’s next:** Local authorities and police will be able to use the new powers alongside existing measures such as Public Space Protection Orders. ![Local Democracy Reporting Service](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3b/48/3b482e3b-bd85-4cd0-bf5d-b4c28e10d60b/content/images/2026/09/ldrs-logo.png) This article is based on reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a BBC funded initiative set up to strengthen reporting on local democratic issues. [The Staffordshire Signal](https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/) has taken part in the scheme since September 2026, which means we're able to draw on a selection of LDRS stories alongside our own. New powers for tackling anti-social behaviour will make Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre safer, a government minister claims. Policing Minister Sarah Jones visited Newcastle to talk to community and business leaders about the new Respect Orders, which are being rolled out today. The new orders will allow councils, the police and housing associations to ban ‘persistent’ adult offenders from certain locations or require them to undertake treatment for problems such as substance abuse – with breaches potentially resulting in imprisonment. Critics have compared Respect Orders with the old Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, or Asbos, which were introduced under New Labour and were generally seen as a failure. But Ms Jones claims the new orders will fill a gap in existing ASB powers by giving agencies the power to tackle criminal behaviour from known offenders, while also directing those individuals towards support. Competition 2pairs to win ### Win tickets to see the *Mediaeval Baebes* at Stoke Minster 30th Anniversary Concert • Saturday 19 December Torchlit processions, ancient songs and voices that sound centuries old, all in one of the city's most atmospheric buildings. Entering is free. [Sign up to the newsletter to enter](https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/#/portal/signup) **Already a subscriber? You're automatically entered.** Closes 11.59pm, Friday 20 November 2026\. [Full details and T&Cs](https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/win-tickets-to-see-the-mediaeval-baebes/) Photo: Rob Kelly She says the business owners she spoke to in Newcastle town centre raised concerns about the type of anti-social behaviour the orders are designed to address. > Ms Jones said: “A lot of the issues they raised were about persistent offending – the same people causing problems. Whether that is being anti-social, drug taking, urinating, shouting at people, being abusive, street drinking – lots of different challenges, but they are the same people, and nothing seems to have worked to stop them behaving the way they’re behaving. > > “This is a new tool that means the police can put conditions on where these people go, so we could say that they can’t come into the town centre at all, or require them to have treatment. If they breach those orders it’s a criminal offence, and they could potentially see time inside prison.” ![Policing Minister Sarah Jones visited Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the introduction of new Respect Orders. Photo by Phil Corrigan.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3b/48/3b482e3b-bd85-4cd0-bf5d-b4c28e10d60b/content/images/2026/10/IMG_0432.jpeg) Policing Minister Sarah Jones visited Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the introduction of new Respect Orders. Photo by Phil Corrigan. In recent years, much of the anti-social behaviour in Newcastle has been linked to rough sleeper encampments in and around the town centre. Newcastle Borough Council’s town centre public space protection order (PSPO) specifically bans behaviour such as aggressive begging and erecting temporary structures without permission. Ms Jones believes that the Respect Orders will work in tandem with government initiatives to end rough sleeping to address this problem. > She added: “When you’re dealing with complex problems like this there isn’t one single thing that’s going to solve those problems. But the focus on rough sleeping, and our focus on anti-social behaviour, together, should hopefully mean that our town centres become places where people feel safer to walk around.” Chief Inspector Cliff Goodwin, local policing commander for Newcastle, welcomed the new powers, saying they will make a difference in the town. > He said: “This will be another tool in officers’ toolbox in terms of their problem solving where we’ve got persistent anti-social behaviour. We’ll be able to hold individuals to account for their behaviour and ultimately put them before a court. > > “In Newcastle, we’re not unlike other towns around the country. We have people who misuse substances, we have people on e-bikes and e-scooters. Where other diversion work has failed, that’s where these orders will really have their power.” > Newcastle MP Adam Jogee added: “This is a really strong attempt at making sure all the relevant authorities have what they they need to keep our communities safe. There will be no excuse for those responsible agencies – they will need to roll them out properly, with energy and with speed so that the enforcement takes place as quickly as possible.” Jonathan Gullis, leader of Newcastle Borough Council, says the authority is working with its partners to tackle ASB, with several PSPOs currently in force and one being proposed in Kidsgrove. > He said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome a member of Government to Newcastle-under-Lyme to see for themselves what’s happening here. Overall crime in the borough has fallen by 20.4 per cent between 2023-25, according to data from the Newcastle Community Safety Partnership, but there’s always more to do. > > “We urge residents to take the trouble to report every single incident of anti-social behaviour they witness as that lets us take action against individuals, target specific places, or premises, so that Newcastle is a safe, pleasant and popular place to live, work, shop and visit.” Written by Phil Corrigan, Local Democracy Reporter. ![The Staffordshire Signal](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3b/48/3b482e3b-bd85-4cd0-bf5d-b4c28e10d60b/content/images/2026/04/Logo-website-PNG-close-crop-green-4.png) Why the Signal exists ## Real news takes time. Thanks for taking yours. You've just read a story that took time to get right. No clickbait, no racing to be first, no ads chasing you down the page. I started The Staffordshire Signal because I got fed up of local news that chased clicks instead of stories. 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