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Failing to comply with a community protection notice

s.48Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

Failing to comply with a community protection notice issued to stop persistent, unreasonable conduct that harms the quality of life of people in the locality.

Failing to comply with a community protection notice · Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s.48Card 182 / 195

Points to prove

A community protection notice was issued to the person (an individual aged 16 or over, or a body)
The notice imposed requirements to stop doing, or to do, specified things, or to take reasonable steps to achieve specified results
The person failed to comply with it

Key definitions

Community protection notice (CPN) – s.43: a notice issued where the authorised person is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the conduct is having a detrimental effect, of a persistent or continuing nature, on the quality of life of those in the locality, and is unreasonable.
Written warning – s.43(5): before a CPN can be issued, the person must have been warned in writing that a notice will follow unless the conduct stops, and given enough time to deal with it.
Authorised person – s.53: a constable, the local authority, or a person designated by the local authority.
Requirements – s.43(4): only those reasonable to prevent or reduce the detrimental effect.

Defences

s.48(3): no offence if the person took all reasonable steps to comply, or had some other reasonable excuse for not complying.

Good to know

An authorised person may issue a fixed penalty notice instead of prosecuting. The maximum fixed penalty is £500 from 26 October 2026 (s.52(7)); it was £100.
On conviction the court may make a remedial order (s.49) or order forfeiture of any item used in the offence (s.50). A justice may issue a warrant to seize such items (s.51). The local authority can also carry out remedial work itself (s.47).
Summary only, so proceedings must normally start within 6 months.

Legislation: Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s.48 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Mode of trial: Summary only
Maximum penalty: A fine not exceeding level 4 (£2,500) for an individual; an unlimited fine for a body
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Failing to comply with a community protection notice: questions people ask

What are the points to prove for failing to comply with a community protection notice?

1. A community protection notice was issued to the person (an individual aged 16 or over, or a body) 2. The notice imposed requirements to stop doing, or to do, specified things, or to take reasonable steps to achieve specified results 3. The person failed to comply with it

What is the maximum sentence for failing to comply with a community protection notice?

A fine not exceeding level 4 (£2,500) for an individual; an unlimited fine for a body.

Is failing to comply with a community protection notice a summary, either-way or indictable offence?

Failing to comply with a community protection notice is a summary-only offence: it is tried in the magistrates’ court.

What Act and section is failing to comply with a community protection notice?

Failing to comply with a community protection notice is an offence under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s.48.

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