Scotland: There's more to tackling anti-social behaviour than ASBOs

The first year's operation of Scotland's new laws to tackle anti-social behaviour has seen individuals, communities and local agencies standing up more effectively to anti-social behaviour, according to a report published today (Monday, November 21).

But Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said that this is only a first step towards rebuilding respect and improving the quality of life for decent hard-working people.

In addition to the well-publicised measures like ASBOs, dispersal orders, and electronic tagging for young people, the first year report records:

Investment in more programmes to prevent and divert young people getting into trouble. The creation of local hotlines to speed up the reporting of anti-social behaviour. More and better trained local staff to support communities in their stand against ASB, including community wardens. Action to tackle noisy neighbours, boy racers, and graffiti. Over 1,500 on the spot fines to curb unacceptable street behaviour like breach of the peace and urinating in public, issued during a pilot scheme in Tayside. Speaking at the Antisocial Behaviour and Summary Justice Reform Conference, Ms Jamieson said: "Failing to deal with anti-social behaviour creates a downward spiral even in thriving communities and can put a stop to efforts to improve neighbourhoods that need most help.

"Left unchecked, anti-social behaviour undermines respect for both individuals and communities.

"But even now, more than a year on from the Act coming into force, many commentators believe that tackling anti-social behaviour means placing more and more people on ASBOs. "Tackling anti-social behaviour is about more than issuing ASBOs, important though the contribution of ASBOs can be.

"Today's report is full of examples of how the needs of the law-abiding majority are being put first. This is being made possible by our legislation, the substantial investment we are putting in and the dedication of staff and agencies on the ground.

"The concentration on ASBOs has often masked the success of those other measures.

"The closure of premises orders served on places operating as illegal drinking or drug dens, the noisy neighbours who turn the stereo down when asked to do so by the newly created council noise abatement team.

"The cars and motorbikes being driven at high speed around housing estates which can now be seized by the police. The community reparation orders which see those guilty of crimes such as littering or graffiti put something back into their communities. On the spot fines for unacceptable behaviour in the street.

"And tackling ASB is not simply about making full use of the powers in the Act. It's about offering alternatives and positive life choices to all our people, particularly our young people. And when the wrong choice is made it is equally important to deal with that quickly and effectively - to prevent a brush with the law becoming a life of crime.

"For too long efforts to tackle ASB have been caricatured into a debate about prevention versus cure. It's not. Our approach has to be prevention and intervention wherever possible, sanctions wherever necessary. It's changing behaviour that counts.

"Much has been achieved over the past year and much of the groundwork that is necessary to achieve sustainable success against antisocial behaviour is now in place.

"People have been recruited and trained, new services are operational, multi-agency strategies are now in place, and experience is growing in the use of the new legal powers we have given to local councils, the police and their partners. Everyone has someone to turn to.

"Working together with local communities we can create an environment in which respect can flourish."

The Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 received Royal Assent in July 2004, with the main provisions coming into force at the end of October 2004.

Agencies have been tasked with tackling antisocial behaviour through an appropriate mix of prevention, early intervention, enforcement and rehabilitation measures.

This has been backed up by £130 million of Scottish Executive investment between 2004-2008 for tackling ASB and promoting community safety.

Executive funding is tied to anti-social behaviour outcome agreements to deliver tangible improvements for local communities - and not to the number of ASBOs taken out or other specific measure granted.

21 November 2005

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