[BLKNSLVR]

That specific article is quite flamboyantly written. But then looking at just the intro page of the "Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act"[0] the uses cases are very wide-ranging in a way that I don't have the experience or knowledge to judge its 'normality'.

eg:

  The Act introduced simpler, more effective powers to tackle anti-social behaviour that provide better protection for victims and communities.

  The Community Trigger and Community Remedy empowers victims and communities, giving them a greater say in how agencies respond to complaints of anti-social behaviour and in out-of-court sanctions for offenders.

  The Act also:

  - tackles irresponsible dog ownership and the use of illegal firearms by gangs and organised criminal groups

  - strengthens the protection afforded to the victims of forced marriage and those at risk of sexual harm

  - enhances the professional capabilities and integrity of the police

  - amends the port and border security powers in Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000, to ensure that they strike the right balance between the need to protect public safety and the protection of individual freedoms.

  - amends the Extradition Act 2003 to strengthen public confidence in, and the operational effectiveness of, our extradition arrangements

[0]: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/anti-social-behavi...

[hyldmo]

I agree about the writing style of the article, and while I unfortunately don't have anything better than anecdotal evidence, while visiting some friends in my teens in England we were routinely approached by police while in public spaces, as loitering (or whatever they would call it) was illegal.