anti-social behaviour

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Anti-Social Behaviour

Natalie Dunstan-Bailey

June 2008

Section 1: Abstract-

1.1 In an attempt to discover what anti-social behaviour orders are and to investigate how effective they have been in tackling anti-social behaviour 20 respondents were chosen at random to complete a questionnaire surrounding anti-social behaviour orders. I have also conducted three interviews to get a more in depth opinion from the public. I chose to interview a middle aged woman and two younger individuals, one male and one female. All of the respondents were aware of anti-social behaviour orders but did not necessarily have a broad understanding of how they were used; neither did they pose positives thoughts on the subject matter. I discovered that anti-social behaviour can be an effective way of tackling anti-social behaviour, but there could also be improvements made to enhance their effectiveness.

Section 2: Terms of reference

2.1 A formal report has been chosen for this study because it has a suitable format for this research because it will inform and explain anti-social behaviour. The report will transmit ideas, facts and findings on ASBO’s. It will also define any problems that the orders have and help to draw a conclusion on the subject matter.

2.2 Reports also allow recommendations about ways of doing things, making improvements or changes as well as allowing information to be recorded for others to refer to.

2.3 This report discuses anti-social behaviour orders, how they are used and looks at how effective they have been in tackling anti-social behaviour. This study aims to produce:

  • Produce a clearer understanding of the uses if ASBO’s
  • Report on what the public think of ASBO’s
  • Establish how effective ASBO’s have been for their stated purpose
  • Make recommendations for action

In order to achieve this objective, twenty questionnaires were distributed in order to get a cross section of views from the public and three interviews were conducted to get a more in depth insight into the views of the public.

2.4 The structure of this report is as follows:

Section 1: Abstract-

This is a statement that briefly conveys the essential information of the report the objectives, method used, results, conclusion and recommendations.

Section 2: Terms of reference-

To explain the context, a brief history of ASBO’s has been provided. Their stated aims and the criticisms have been examined. These include how local authorities have gone about tackling anti-social behaviour and why their effectiveness has been questioned.

Section 3: Procedures-

This incorporates the aims and objectives, design and techniques used in this study.

Section 4: Findings-

This contains clear and logically structured analysis of discovery. Graphs have been used to enhance clarity and understanding.

Section 5: Conclusion and recommendations-

This contains summaries of issues that arose during this research and suggestions for further action to resolve the issues that have resulted from the implementation of ASBO’s and this investigation and recommendations.

2.5 Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO’s) were central to the Labour government’s Law and Order Policy. They were introduced by section 1 of the Crime and Disorder Act of 1998 and have been available since 1999. In 2002 the powers were strengthened and extended by the Police Reform Act, which introduced order made on Conviction in Criminal Proceedings, these orders are known as CRASBO’s.

2.6 Anti- social behaviour orders have a wide legal definition: “It is behaviour which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people who are not in the same household as the perpetrator”

(, March 20).

2.7 Anti- Social Behaviour Orders exist to stop anti social behaviour re-occurring and to protect the public. The idea of issuing offenders with anti social behaviour orders is to transmit the message that anti- social behaviour will not be tolerated. Notably, they are not intended to be criminal penalties, or punishment. These orders are used widely for a variety of anti- social behaviour such as graffiti, prostitution and criminal damage to name but a few.

2.8 Nevertheless, they have come under heavy criticism for a number of reasons. They have been condemned for the time it takes to process the orders “mostly targeted by youngsters and there are reports they are bureaucratic and time-consuming to impose” (www.bbcnews.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1883277.stm, Q&A:Anti-social behaviour orders, 2002, Accessed: 2008 March 20).

2.9 In addition, Individuals have been unaware of their restrictions when issued with an ASBO “the crime reduction charity looked in detail at 137 cases and found that many young people had no clear understanding of the detailed restrictions in their orders” (/, Teenagers see ASBO’s as badge of honour Nov 2 2006, Accessed: 2008 March 20).

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2.10 Furthermore, it has been established there is the high rate of non-compliance, with many breaching their orders and it has also been argued that ASBO’S are viewed as a type of reward, rather than addressing the causes of bad behaviour. “Parents and some professionals, including magistrates, commonly argued that Asbos functioned as a “badge of honour”, and referred to them as a “diploma” rather than addressing the causes of bad behaviour (/, Teenagers see ASBO’s as badge of honour Nov 2 2006,Accessed:2008 March 20)

Section 3: Procedures-

3.1 The methods used in this research ...

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