The Act Schedule 17:  Offences relating to nuclear material and nuclear facilities Part 8: Anti-social behaviour New Section 11A of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003: Part 1A closure notice
648.New section 11A(1) sets out the test which must be satisfied before a police officer not below the rank of a superintendent or a local authority can authorise the issue of a Part 1A closure notice. The officer or authority must have reasonable grounds for believing that a person has engaged in anti-social behaviour on the premises in the preceding 3 months and that the premises are associated with significant and persistent disorder or persistent serious nuisance.
649.New section 11A(2) requires that the authorising officer must be satisfied that the local authority has been consulted and that reasonable steps have been taken to identify those living on the premises or with an interest in it before the authorisation for the issue of the notice is given.
650.New section 11A(3) requires that the local authority must be satisfied that the chief officer of police for the area has been consulted and that reasonable steps have been taken to identify those living on the premises or with an interest in it before the authorisation for the issue of the notice is given.
651.New section 11A(4) states that the authorisation for the issue of a closure notice can be given initially orally or in writing, but should be confirmed in writing if given orally.
652.New section 11A(5) sets out the required contents of a Part 1A closure notice. It must give notice that an application will be made to court for a Part 1A closure order and must include details of the time and place of the court hearing and a statement that access to the premises during the period of the notice is prohibited to anyone other than someone who is usually resident in, or is the owner of, the premises. It must explain the effects of a Part 1A closure order, state that non-compliance with the notice amounts to an offence and also contain information about local advice providers of legal and housing matters.
653.New section 11A(6) and (7) set out requirements in relation to service of a Part 1A closure notice. Once authorised, a constable or an employee of the local authority must serve the notice by fixing a copy of it to at least one prominent part of the premises in question, fixing it to each normal means of access and to any outbuildings. They must also give a copy to those people identified as living in or having control of, responsibility for or an interest in the property.
654.New section 11A(8) provides that the notice must also be served on any person who occupies any other part of the building in which the premises are located if their access will be impeded should the Part 1A closure order be made. New section 11A(9) allows the server of the notice to enter any premises for the purposes of fixing the Part 1A closure notice to a prominent place, using reasonable force if necessary. New section 11A(10) enables the Secretary of State by regulations (subject to the negative resolution procedure) to exempt premises or descriptions of premises from the application of the new section 11A.