The Anti-social Behaviour Act, which was published in 2003, created new powers and incentives to help local authorities deal with the issue.
To accompany the Act, the Prime Minister and Home Secretary launched ‘Together’, a national campaign against anti-social behaviour that puts the needs of the community first.
Specific measures that have been introduced include Anti-social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs).
ASBOs are statutory measures that contain conditions prohibiting offenders from specific anti-social acts or entering defined areas. They are civil orders made in court, and are effective for a minimum of two years. ASBOs can be applied for by local authorities, police forces (including the British Transport Police) and by registered social landlords, but not by members of the public.
ABCs are voluntary written agreements between a person who has been involved in anti-social behaviour and one or more local agencies whose role it is to prevent such behaviour (e.g. police and housing). They are most commonly used for young people but may also be used for adults.
Data from the latest British Crime Survey shows that the proportion of people who perceived a high level of anti-social behaviour had fallen from 21 per cent in 2002 to 18 per cent in 2003.
