Background
In March 2003, the Government published a White Paper - ‘Respect and Responsibility - Taking a Stand Against Anti-Social Behaviour’. This was followed by the Government’s Action Plan and the enactment of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, which created new powers and incentives to assist local authorities in dealing with the range of anti-social behaviours. To accompany the Act, the Prime Minister and Home Secretary launched ‘Together’, a national campaign against ASB that puts the needs of the community first.
In December 2006 the National Audit Office produced a report which examined the work of the ASB Unit since 2003. It sampled 893 case files of ASBOs, warning letters, and acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) issued in six areas (Wear Valley, Easington, Liverpool, Manchester, Exeter and Hackney).
Of the sample, about 46% of cases were under 18 and 54% over 18. The NAO study looked at the value for money achieved by the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit (ASBU) and the work by the Home Office to tackle aggressive and intimidating activity.
The study's main findings were:
• 65% of people stopped behaving anti-socially after one intervention
• 86% of people stopped behaving anti-socially after two interventions
• 93% of people stopped behaving anti-socially after three interventions
So, while anti-social interventions were frequently violated, those doing so are a small, hardcore group. The majority of people respond appropriately and legally to the restrictions put on them by the legal orders.
For the executive summary please visit the NAO website.
Bristol was awarded Beacon status for its work in Preventing Anti-Social Behaviour in March 2007.
In April 2007 five Respect Action Areas were launched in the South West (Bristol, Bournemouth, Gloucester, Exeter and Plymouth. All these areas receive additional funding and are building on existing good practice in dealing with ASB.
In July 2007 the Respect Task Force moved to the Department for Children Schools and Families as part of the Machinery of Government changes introduced by Gordon Brown when he became Prime Minister. In October 2007 a new Youth Task Force was established from the Respect Task Force. Anne Weinstock, who established the Millennium Task Force and the Connexions Service heads the Youth Task Force. They will be part of the delivery arm for the Government's Strategy for young people "Aiming High for Young People" published in July 2007. The Youth Task Force will build on the work of the Respect agenda. They will also take a lead in supporting local Youth Support Services to focus more on preventing teenagers from experiencing serious problems such as being drawn into youth crime and anti-social behaviour and disengagement from school. It will also deliver the expansion of positive activities for young people and the reform of services as set out in the ten year youth strategy.
The Department for Children Schools and Families will continue to provide funding of up to £18 million for the next three years to sustain the recently established network of 53 Family Intervention Projects.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Unit will continue to lead the policy on Anti-Social Behaviour.
Anti Social Behaviour Funding
Funding continues to be made available for crime partnerships. This is paid directly into the Safer Stronger Communities Fund - see also Partnership Funding under ‘Further Information’. This funding complements the Government's Action Plan.
South West Regional ASB Network
A network of ASB professionals and practitioners, the South West Anti-Social Behaviour Network (SWASBN) was launched in June 2003. The network met quarterly up until April 2007. The next meeting will be taking place on the 9 July 2008 at GOSW.
For details of forthcoming ASB events follow the link below to our Events page.
Good Practice
Please see the attached documents below for examples of good practice around the issues of football being played in the street and graffiti grot spots.
