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See other news storiesMore local action on anti-social behaviour
13 October 2009
We’re cracking down on people who breach their ASBOs and giving more help to victims of anti-social behaviour (ASB).
Anti-social behaviour and harassment can make life miserable for local residents. The new measures are designed to make sure anti-social behaviour is dealt with more swiftly and effectively.
More help for victims
Over the next two years, we are putting almost £2.8m into setting up a network of 85 ‘victim and witness champions’ in areas that have been identified as needing the most support. They will offer practical help to those victims who are taking a stand against anti-social behaviour.
Victims who take their case to a Magistrates Court will be offered help from Victim Support’s witness service, such as:
- support in court proceedings
- offering someone to accompany the witness when they give evidence
- providing follow-up assistance when the court case is over.
More prosecutions for those who breach their ASBO
We’re setting out clear expectations that local councils, police and social housing landlords ensure court action is taken against those who break the law by breaching their anti-social behaviour order (ASBO). We’ll also be looking at how current breaches are being dealt with, and how the system can be improved.
Local action against local crime
The new measures also include all local areas committing to a minimum set of standards by March 2010. These will include:
- regular updates for every community on what is being done to tackle antisocial behaviour
- support and help for victims of ASB
- taking reports of ASB seriously by recording and investigating all cases and keeping victims informed of any action taken.
Areas that have been identified as being more challenging will be given additional support to improve.
ASB not something we should tolerate
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said, ‘The public rightly expects to live in neighbourhoods free from the corrosive effects of intimidation and harassment. I want to see both police and local authorities using the powers they have been given in a way that is effective and responds to peoples’ needs at the right time.
‘This may be tougher for some areas than for others, but communities will have to work together to show that antisocial behaviour is something that we tackle, rather than tolerate.
‘It is also vital that no-one ignores complaints of anti-social behaviour, as happened in the tragic case of Fiona Pilkington. Those on the receiving end of intimidation and abuse must not be made to feel like they are the ones causing a problem when they come forward.’
