159.— The following title and section is inserted in the Act of 2001 after section 257:

“PART 12A

Anti-Social Behaviour by Children

Interpretation (Part 12A).

257A.— (1) In this Part—

“behaviour order” means an order under section 257D;

“behaviour warning” shall be construed in accordance with section 257B;

“child” means a child who is at least 12 years of age and under the age of 18 years;

“good behaviour contract” has the meaning given to it in section 257C;

“Programme” means the diversion programme referred to in section 18.

(2) For the purposes of this Part, a child behaves in an anti-social manner if the child causes or, in the circumstances, is likely to cause, to one or more persons who are not of the same household as the child—

(a) harassment,

(b) significant or persistent alarm, distress, fear or intimidation, or

(c) significant or persistent impairment of their use or enjoyment of their property.

(3) This Part does not apply—

(a) to any behaviour of a child that takes place before this section comes into force, or

(b) to any act or omission of a child in respect of which criminal proceedings have been instituted against the child.”.