An article examined the work of two family intervention projects (FIPs) within Leicester City, focusing on keyworkers' perceptions of 'successful intervention'. The authors call for more research to establish 'what works'.
Source: Sarah Hodgkinson and Diane Jones, 'The use of family intervention projects to deal with anti-social behaviour: a preliminary study of keyworker perceptions', Crime Prevention & Community Safety, Volume 15 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Oct
A briefing paper examined the debates that took place on the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill in the House of Commons at report stage and third reading. It identified amendments made to the Bill at report stage and highlighted some of the conclusions of the report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights with regard to each part of the Bill.
Source: Dorothy Hughes, Matthew Purvis, and Russell Taylor, Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill (HL Bill 52 of 2013 14), Standard Note LLN 2013/029, House of Lords Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2013-Oct
A report by a joint committee of MPs and peers said that more restrictions were needed on intrusive terrorism powers to detain and search travellers' electronic devices at ports and airports. It called on the government to drop from the Bill the proposed new test to decide on payment of compensation for miscarriages of justice as, in the committee's view, it was incompatible with the presumption of innocence. The report suggested a number of other amendments to the Bill with regards to preventive measures against anti-social behaviour, and said that the Crown Prosecution Service should develop a strategy for the prosecution of forced marriage. The committee also recommended additional measures to protect against prolonged retention of DNA and other personal samples in criminal investigations. The report noted that the number of significant amendments to the Bill, combined with delays in receiving requested information from the government, had raised barriers to the effective scrutiny of the Bill.
Source: Legislative Scrutiny: Anti social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, Fourth Report (Session 2013-14), HC 713 and HL 56, Joint Select Committee on Human Rights, TSO
Links: Report | HOC Briefing
Date: 2013-Oct
An article critically examined anti-social behaviour policy. Interventions aimed at confronting anti-social behaviour had fed negative stereotypes of young people.
Source: Jon Bannister and Ade Kearns, 'Overcoming intolerance to young people's conduct: implications from the unintended consequences of policy in the UK', Criminology and Criminal Justice, Volume 13 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Aug
An article examined claims that concern about anti-social behaviour might be linked to generally negative attitudes towards young people, focusing on a disadvantaged urban neighbourhood in Glasgow (Scotland). Some evidence was found of negative attitudes, in the form of generalized negative stereotyping of young people, but not of a 'general climate of intolerance'. Although adult residents of disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods perceived young people's anti-social behaviour to be a serious issue, they assumed that such behaviours occurred in the context of poor environments, poor parenting, and poor adult behaviour.
Source: Matt Egan, Joanne Neary, Peter Keenan, and Lyndal Bond, 'Perceptions of antisocial behaviour and negative attitudes towards young people: focus group evidence from adult residents of disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods (Glasgow, UK)', Journal of Youth Studies, Volume 16 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jul
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill was given a second reading. The Bill included measures (mostly related to England and Wales) to tackle anti-social behaviour, forced marriage, dangerous dogs, and illegal firearms. There would be new, simpler powers for the police to tackle anti-social behaviour. Forced marriage would become a criminal offence, as would a breach of a forced-marriage protection order.
Source: Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, Home Office, TSO | Debate 10 June 2013, columns 66-127, House of Commons Hansard, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard
Date: 2013-Jun
A report examined the outcome of trials of the 'community trigger', designed to give victims and communities the right to demand that agencies deal with persistent anti-social behaviour. It said that the community trigger had already helped to stop anti-social behaviour in several persistent and difficult cases. Most victims who had used the community trigger had been impressed with how quickly positive action had been taken as a result.
Source: Empowering Communities, Protecting Victims: Summary Report on the Community Trigger Trials, Home Office
Links: Report
Date: 2013-May
The coalition government published the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill. The Bill included measures (mostly related to England and Wales) to tackle anti-social behaviour, forced marriage, dangerous dogs, and illegal firearms. There would be new, simpler powers for police to tackle anti-social behaviour. Forced marriage would become a criminal offence, as would a breach of a forced-marriage protection order.
Source: Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, Home Office, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Impact assessment | Home Office press release | Cabinet Office briefing | HOC research brief | Childrens Society press release | CIH press release | Labour Party press release | LGA press release | Liberty press release | Manifesto Club press release | Nottingham Trent University press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-May
A study for the police service inspectorate in England and Wales found that the risk of harm for victims of anti-social behaviour depended upon three factors: the nature of the behaviour and whether it was personally targeted; victim personal characteristics such as health; and the make-up of the local area. Police forces differed from one another in the overall profile of their callers, in terms of vulnerability and repeat victimization. More than 1 in 3 victims said that their calls to the police made no difference.
Source: Helen Innes and Martin Innes, Personal, Situational and Incidental Vulnerabilities to ASB Harm: A follow up study, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary
Links: Report | Cardiff University press release | ACPO press release | Daily Mail report
Date: 2013-Apr
A report by a committee of MPs welcomed proposals in the Draft Anti-Social Behaviour Bill to rationalize the number of anti-social behaviour (ASB) powers. However, it said that key elements necessary to tackle ASB were missing: good inter-agency working, intelligent information sharing, and a network of services. The 'community trigger' would not be effective against persistent ASB unless there were a national limit on the number of complaints that could be made before action was taken.
Source: The Draft Anti-Social Behaviour Bill: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny, Twelfth Report (Session 2012–13), HC 836, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Committee press release | Childrens Commissioner press release | Childrens Society press release | Labour Party press release | LGA press release | T2A press release | BBC report
Date: 2013-Feb
An article said that the potential benefits of public space frequently translated into inequitable social and spatial outcomes for specific groups: young people, in particular, were being excluded from public spaces through a range of measures designed to tackle anti-social behaviour. Community wardens could often provide young people with the opportunity for positive and meaningful encounters with places (and people) in their local communities.
Source: Donna Marie Brown, 'Young people, anti-social behaviour and public space: the role of community wardens in policing the "ASBO generation"', Urban Studies, Volume 50 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jan