Anti-social behaviour doesn’t just make life unpleasant. It holds back the regeneration of disadvantaged areas and creates an environment where more serious crime can take hold. Reducing anti-social behaviour is therefore crucial to making neighbourhoods better places to live.
Risk Factors
Many factors have been identified that increase the risk of anti-social behaviour happening. These include family environment, schooling and educational attainment, community life, accommodation, employment and personal and individual factors. For more details see the ASB pages on the Home Office website.
Background
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 created new powers and incentives to assist Local Authorities in dealing with the range of anti-social behaviours. A national campaign “Together” was launched as an accompaniment to this legislation.
Since then there has been a huge response from practitioners and local communities determined to tackle, not tolerate, anti-social behaviour. Powers and tools (increased under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005) have been widely used, demonstrating that barriers and obstacles have been overcome and are no longer an excuse for inaction.
The Government’s Respect Action Plan, published in January 2006 is building on this successful drive to tackle anti-social behaviour and is seeking to address the deeper underlying causes of unacceptable behaviour.
In December 2006 The National Audit Office produced a report which examined the work of the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit since 2003. This study found that 65% of people stopped behaving anti-socially after one intervention, 86% stopped after two and 93% stopped after three.
Cutting Crime A New Partnership 2008 – 2011, the new 3 year crime strategy, identifies "continued pressure on anti-social behaviour" as a key area for focus over the period 2008-11.
Role of Local Partners
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a key priority for local communities who regularly identify this as one of the most important issues in their area. Problems caused by anti-social behaviour are often challenging and the solutions can be varied and complex.
Local crime and reduction partnerships are therefore well placed to deliver on this cross-cutting issue, and it is important that local partners put in place robust plans to tackle anti-social behaviour and build a culture of Respect. The Respect Handbook for Local Services sets out the key principles that underpin this work and should help local agencies come together to consider the local partnership response
Guidance on working in partnership to tackle anti-social behaviour, developing an anti-social behaviour strategy, use of enforcement tools and powers, use of supportive interventions, community engagement, and many other aspects of tackling anti-social behaviour can be found on the Respect website.
Our Role
GOSE offers support to Crime and Disorder Partnerships and other organisations seeking to tackle anti-social behaviour and also provides a link to the Home Office Anti-Social Behaviour and Crime Prevention Unit.
We have set up a regional virtual anti-social behaviour network for anti-social behaviour practitioners to share good practice and provide mutual support. GOSE is also linking into existing sub-regional anti-social behaviour networks to offer support and encourage the sharing of good practice across the region.
Guidance
A Guide to Anti-Social Behaviour Tools and Powers
Supporting Victims and Witnesses in Court Cases
Good Practice
For examples of good practice from around the region, please click here.
GOSE Contact
If you are interested in joining the South East virtual ASB network, or would like to offer good practice on dealing with ASB, please contact Julie Wootton, Regional Anti-Social Behaviour Manager: julie.wootton@gose.gsi.gov.uk
