A study examined the differences and similarities between crime and disorder partnerships (CDRPs) in their use of anti-social behaviour interventions. Variations in the use of tools and powers by different CDRPs were primarily due to specific issues that dictated the way that anti-social behaviour was addressed in different localities. Differences between areas in the delivery of interventions arose from differences in the demography and deprivation levels of the areas, and the structures for multi-agency working.
Source: Christine Cooper, Geraldine Brown, Helen Powell and Ellie Sapsed, Exploration of Local Variations in the Use of Anti-Social Behaviour Tools and Powers, Research Report 21, Home Office
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Dec
A bulletin presented findings from additional analyses on perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour based on the 2008-09 British Crime Survey.
Source: Debbie Moon et al., Perceptions of Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour: Findings from the 2008/09 British Crime Survey – Supplementary Volume 1 to Crime in England and Wales 2008/09, Statistical Bulletin 17/09, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Bulletin
Date: 2009-Nov
An article examined the spatial dimensions of social landlords' attempts to influence people's behaviour, and to map the range of technologies and measures utilized by social landlords on to particular urban spaces.
Source: John Flint and Hal Pawson, 'Social landlords and the regulation of conduct in urban spaces in the United Kingdom', Criminology and Criminal Justice, Volume 9 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Nov
Researchers examined the impact of family intervention projects. 66 per cent of the first 699 families to complete the programme no longer displayed anti-social behaviour. In addition, poor parenting had been reduced by 57 per cent; housing enforcement actions, including evictions, by 68 per cent; truancies, exclusions, and bad behaviour at school by 55 per cent; and child protection concerns by 43 per cent.
Source: National Centre for Social Research, Anti-Social Behaviour Family Intervention Projects: Monitoring and Evaluation, Research Brief RBX-09-16, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Brief | Community Care report
Date: 2009-Nov
An article said that regulatory ideas associated with the government's strategy to tackle anti-social behaviour were being used to circumvent and erode established criminal justice principles, notably those of due process, proportionality, and the special protections traditionally afforded to young people.
Source: Adam Crawford, 'Governing through anti-social behaviour: regulatory challenges to criminal justice', British Journal of Criminology, Volume 49 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Nov
An article examined the government's approach to anti-social behaviour. It said that 'critical realism' could deepen understanding of ASB policy by enabling researchers to move beyond a focus on the 'construction' of ASB to the 'reality' of ASB.
Source: Sadie Parr, 'Confronting the reality of anti-social behaviour', Theoretical Criminology, Volume 13 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Aug
The government published a progress report on the action plan of its Youth Taskforce (which replaced the Respect Taskforce on youth crime and anti-social behaviour). The action plan included a programme of reforms designed to ensure every area had a joined-up and systematic approach to early identification, prevention, and support for teenagers at risk. The report said that more than 30,000 of the most difficult and vulnerable young people had benefited directly from the programme over the previous year.
Source: Youth Taskforce: Progress Report – Summer 2009, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Jun
The government began consultation on its legislative programme for 2009-10, including a Bill on policing, crime, and private security. Proposals included measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, under which a parenting assessment would be carried out on parents of children aged 10-15 who were considered for an anti-social behaviour order.
Source: Building Britain's Future, Cm 7654, Prime Minister's Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Summary | Hansard | Cabinet Office press release | Guardian report | Local Government Chronicle report | Community Care report | BBC report
Date: 2009-Jun
A study examined key issues concerning the way in which legislation to tackle anti-social behaviour had been introduced and implemented. The legislation was open to wide, subjective interpretation of what actually constituted anti-social behaviour, leading to inconsistent practice. Powers intended to regulate non-criminal behaviour were often used as an aspect of formal sentencing for criminal convictions. There were wide differences in the way the legislation had been used in different areas, reflecting local preferences more than the different nature of local problems. There had been insufficient evaluation of the use and impact of the powers and interventions – particularly with regard to age, gender, and ethnicity.
Source: Adam Crawford et al., Situating Anti-social Behaviour and Respect, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: ESRC briefing |Leeds University press release
Date: 2009-Apr
A new book examined the origins, interpretations, and possible future for the government's 'respect' agenda for tackling anti-social behaviour.
Source: Andrew Millie (ed.), Securing Respect: Behavioural expectations and anti-social behaviour in the UK, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Apr
A think-tank report said that police officers should be instructed to 'reclaim the streets for the law-abiding majority' by waging a concerted campaign against anti-social behaviour. It endorsed a 'crackdown and consolidation' approach to law enforcement in high-crime areas: in areas characterized by social breakdown, short-term police crackdowns could create space for other agencies to move in and address the problems underlying crime.
Source: A Force to be Reckoned With, Centre for Social Justice (020 7620 1120)
Links: Report | Summary | CSJ press release
Date: 2009-Mar
The Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities published a joint framework for tackling antisocial behaviour. It said that prevention and early and effective intervention should be at the heart of approaches to tackle antisocial behaviour. The causes of antisocial behaviour – such as drink, drugs, and deprivation – needed to be addressed, and not just the symptoms.
Source: Promoting Positive Outcomes: Working together to prevent antisocial behaviour in Scotland, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Framework (part 1) | Framework (part 2) | Summary | SG press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Mar
An audit report said that sport and leisure projects designed to help keep young people away from criminal and anti-social activity struggled with a funding system that was 'wasteful, inefficient and bureaucratic'.
Source: Tired of Hanging Around: Using sport and leisure activities to prevent anti-social behaviour by young people, Audit Commission (0800 502030)
Links: Report | Summary | Audit Commission press release | Guardian report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2009-Jan