CHANGES to give powers over antisocial behaviour orders to a range of agencies could lead to confusion over who should be dealing with cases, Ceredigion councillors have warned.

Under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, which came into force in Oct­ober 2014, several different agencies, including councils, the police and housing associations, will be able to use legislation to deal with cases on antisocial behaviour.

But councillors have questioned whether that could lead to some cases “slipping through the gaps” with the agencies responsible bec­oming uncertain as to who should take the lead in add­ressing the legislation and the anti­social behaviour.

Cllr Ceredig Davies said while he welcomed legislation, council cuts could mean the auth­ority did not have enough officers to address all cases.

He said: “I welcome the fact these tools are at our disposal, but I am worried we don’t have the officers to be able to go out and use these tools bec­ause of a lack of capacity in departments.”

Cllr John Lumley said it was important that all agencies with powers under the act had a set of protocols that would enable the public to understand who was resp­onsible for putting in place measures to combat antisocial behaviour.

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