Author: Local Government Association
ISBN No:
Review date: 10/04/2026
No of pages: 0
Publisher:
Year of publication:
Brief:
A downloadable report pulls together information, from the Home Office and from Local Government Association recent surveys on how local authorities are tackling anti-social behaviour.
The man and woman in the street says that anti-social behaviour bothers them. Housing authorities for example have a part to play in dealing with anti-social tenants (aka ‘neighbours from hell’). ‘Two-fifths (41 per cent) of authorities reported they had applied for an Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO) since legislation was enacted.’ While that suggests that most councils have not sought an ASBO, the report does add that other councils keep the ability to apply for an ASBO up their sleeve, by sending warning letters for instance.
The report (Information and case studies about local authority work tackling anti-social behaviour (Local Government Association, July 2002) ISBN 1 84049 299 6) goes on to case studies – Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council; Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council; Cambridge City Council; London Boroughs of Croydon and Islington; Manchester City Council; Monmouthshire County Council; South Gloucestershire Council; and Wiltshire County Council. As for Blackburn, ‘The borough is in the process of developing an anti-social behaviour strategy, which will build upon the aim of improving quality of life within the crime and disorder strategy.’ Blackburn has applied for two ASBOs, which involved much legal work and liaison with police and between council departments, and overcoming reluctance of witnesses by holding sessions on neutral ground. Calderdale too has obtained two ASBOs; each one cost an estimated ล3,900, plus staff time. Calderdale has gone down the route of Acceptable Behaviour Agreements, which if broken can lead to an ASBO. Cambridge has gained one ASBO, led by the police, with an estimated cost of ล7,000; and like Calderdale have used alternatives including warning letters, acceptable behaviour contracts, undertakings on tenancy agreements, visits, and injunctions.
In London, Manchester
The London Borough of Croydon puts the cost of its ASBO at ล1,800; it has an anti-social behaviour forum that meets every six weeks to review cases, and has a CCTV van to cover hotspots. substance misuse. Islington has had an anti-social behaviour team since last year. Islington has not secured an ASBO, but did gain the first cross border ASBO in the country by working with Camden Council in the case of ‘a violent sex worker involved in needlepoint robberies’. Islington also uses Parental Control Agreements, signed by the parents where the anti-social child is under ten; and works in schools and with registered social landlords. Manchester has applied for 22 ASBOs – a tiny percantage of the total cases – and has dealt with witness intimidation. Manchester City Council has both a divisional and corporate target related to anti-social behaviour. Injunctions are considered the most successful method: fast and relatively cheap. ASBOs take between a fortnight and five months. ‘Once the judgement to make the order is given, it is served immediately, a report is published in the local press, and in some cases a leaflet is produced straight away for residents in the affected community, as the District Judge has agreed there should be no reporting restrictions.’ In Wiltshire, the four Wiltshire Community Safety Partnerships are working together on an anti-social behaviour protocol. Wiltshire has not seen any ASBOs but has seen injunction and acceptable behaviour contracts. ‘A protocol signed by the chief executives and [Wiltshire] chief constable of the key agencies enables information to be shared under Section 115 of the Crime and Disorder Act.’ Also featured are Burnley; Cardiff City and County; Carlisle City Council; Cheltenham Borough Council; Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council; Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Lincolnshire County Council; Middlesbrough Council; Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council; Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council; Northampton Borough Council; Nottinghamshire County Council; Shropshire County Council; Telford and Wrekin Council; London Borough of Tower Hamlets; and Waveney.
Visit www.lga.gov.uk. For details contact the Local Government Association at:
Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ. Ring 020 7664 3000, fax 020 7664 3030.
