A £684,000 public information campaign to help people use anti-social behaviour laws to stand up to nuisance neighbours and vandals was launched in Scotland.
The awareness campaign, Standing Up to Antisocial Behaviour, includes local newspaper, bus and radio advertising and an information leaflet for every home in the country.
What they say
First Minister Jack McConnell said: "When the Scottish Parliament passed the Antisocial Behaviour Bill last June, we sent out a clear message that enough was enough. We are standing up for the law-abiding majority who care about their communities, by giving them the tools to stand up to the law-breaking minority who couldn’t care less. And today we take further steps to give more power to individuals and communities to protect or rebuild their quality of life.
"Change is already taking place. Councils and police are starting to use some of the new measures. Lives are getting better. But many people are still unaware of what these new measures are, and how they can help deal with the day-to-day problems they face.
"From graffiti to noisy neighbours, from dumped TV sets and fridges to intimidation from gangs of youths, there are new measures in force to deal with these and many of the other issues that can cause misery in neighbourhoods. But we want every family in Scotland to know that they can act – we want to empower them to stand up to antisocial behaviour.
"That is why, from today onwards, we are making sure that those who suffer from antisocial behaviour realise that they do not need to suffer in silence. That the law is there to help them stand up to antisocial behaviour, to help deal with it effectively and bring them a bit of peace. Just as we have helped councils and Police forces to deal with antisocial behaviour more effectively, we will also help Scots stand up to antisocial behaviour in their communities."
COSLA President Pat Watters welcomed the Executive’s campaign. He said: "You only have to look at the impact antisocial behaviour has on individuals and communities to know why the Leaders of Scotland’s councils back this campaign. No-one is more committed to ridding Scotland’s communities of anti social behaviour than Scotland’s Council Leaders. Antisocial behaviour is corrosive and a blight on the communities represented by councillors the length and breadth of Scotland. At present I am dealing with an issue in my own area where the behaviour of a handful of youths is having an horrendous impact on the life of an elderly lady.
"COSLA has supported the Scottish Executive’s legislative measures since they were introduced and we fully support this campaign.
"Communities across Scotland can rest assured that both tiers of government in Scotland – national and local – will continue to do everything they can to resolve the pain and misery caused by antisocial behaviour. "
A spokesperson for the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS) said: "The Scottish Police Service recognises that quality of life is important to the people of Scotland. Acts of antisocial behaviour, including noise nuisance, drunken and disorderly behaviour, vandalism and graffiti, speeding vehicles, violent crimes, drugs and alcohol misuse, litter and dog fouling, can generate fear and distress for people, particularly the elderly, minority ethnic communities and vulnerable community groups.
"We therefore welcome the measures provided by the new Act and are committed to working closely with other services and agencies to tackle antisocial behaviour."
