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

"Part 12A Anti-Social Behaviour by Children

257A. Interpretation (Part 12A).

(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.".