Without prejudice to any other obligation imposed on it, it shall be the duty of each authority to which this section applies to exercise its various functions with due regard to the likely effect of the exercise of those functions on, and the need to do all that it reasonably can to prevent, crime and disorder in its area.

This section applies to a local authority, a joint authority, a police authority, a National Park authority and the Broads Authority.

In this section—

• “local authority” means a local authority within the meaning given by section 270(1) of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 or the Common Council of the City of London;

• “joint authority” has the same meaning as in the [1985 c. 51.] Local Government Act 1985;

• “National Park authority” means an authority established under section 63 of the [1995 c. 25.] Environment Act 1995.

In this Chapter—

• “anti-social behaviour order” has the meaning given by section 1(4) above;

• “chief officer of police” has the meaning given by section 101(1) of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996;

• “child safety order” has the meaning given by section 11(1) above;

• “curfew notice” has the meaning given by section 14(6) above;

• “local child curfew scheme” has the meaning given by section 14(1) above;

• “parenting order” has the meaning given by section 8(4) above;

• “police area” has the meaning given by section 1(2) of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996;

• “police authority” has the meaning given by section 101(1) of that Act;

• “responsible officer”—

  1. a

     in relation to a parenting order, has the meaning given by section 8(8) above;

  2. b

     in relation to a child safety order, has the meaning given by section 11(8) above;

• “sex offender order” has the meaning given by section 2(3) above.

In this Chapter, unless the contrary intention appears, expressions which are also used in Part I of the [1991 c. 53.] Criminal Justice Act 1991 (“the 1991 Act”) have the same meanings as in that Part.

Where directions under a parenting order are to be given by a probation officer, the probation officer shall be an officer appointed for or assigned to the petty sessions area within which it appears to the court that the child or, as the case may be, the parent resides or will reside.

For the purposes of this Chapter the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple form part of the City of London.