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Useful numbers
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Guide to ASB tools and Powers
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Explanation by Government Minister
We have come a long way since the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 introduced the first of this Government’s ground-breaking innovations in the fight against antisocial behaviour – the ASBO. Since then we have introduced a wide range of other tools and powers. To mention just a few, crack house closures and powers to seize and crush mini-motos are making our streets safer; and the greater powers we have given to landlords to deal with nuisance and anti-social tenants are making our neighbourhoods more pleasant places to live in. But it is important not just to stop the anti-social behaviour but also to tackle its root causes: we have therefore also provided preventative interventions such as Individual Support Orders and Parenting Orders, which have proved successful in helping young people change their behaviour.
 Practitioners are also making more use of less formal interventions, such as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts. The results are encouraging: the British Crime Survey shows that public perception of anti-social behaviour as a problem in the local area has fallen from 21 per cent in 2002/03 to 18 per cent in 2006/07; and an Audit Commission survey shows that perceptions of antisocial behaviour as a problem fell in 94 per cent of local authorities between 2003 and 2006.
These are significant achievements, and I pay tribute to the hard work of front-line practitioners whose hard work has brought about this transformation. I have seen this in action myself, and it is inspirational. We have done our part in supporting front-line anti-social behaviour practitioners: we have provided a website and an advice line as an easy-to-access source of definitive, practical advice on tackling anti-social behaviour; and we have run workshops, academies, training days and showcasing events around the country and trained thousands.
We have learnt from this that practitioners want a single comprehensive guide to all the tools and powers available, for use in all contexts, with case studies to point the way to effective action. This guidance fulfils that need, and also provides a ready, at-a-glance table showing which legislation refers to which type of anti-social behaviour problem, and the practical options available for tackling it. Looking at the more strategic level, the advent of the new Local Area Agreements and of neighbourhood policing will give people more of a say in tackling the problems that are of greatest priority in their own area.
This means anti-social behaviour – a priority for local people, local service providers and for the Government. Indeed, the Government’s own Public Service Agreement prioritises the fight against anti-social behaviour. It is a common goal. More guidance is therefore in the pipeline to help practitioners deal with the newer challenges of effective community engagement and communication, and of managing perception. Our role in government is to continue to support and listen to practitioners on the front line to help them do the best job they can. I am delighted, therefore, to present this invaluable guide.
VERNON COAKER
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