Tackling anti-social behaviour

People report anti-social behaviour to you because they want you to act to stop the anti-social acts quickly, and to prevent any future repetition of anti-social behaviour.

The goal of any intervention is to:
• first, and most immediately, protect victims, witnesses and the community
• enable the perpetrator to recognise the consequences of their behaviour
• make sure the perpetrator has access to support to help change their behaviour
• put in place measures  to prevent future repetition.

It is important to make sure the appropriate intervention is used at the right time, and the measure of success is the community’s view on whether the anti-social behaviour has been stopped. Whilst an incremental approach is the right one, there will be occasions when it is not practical to follow all the stages in order to provide immediate protection to individuals and the community.

Most people have an idea of what is an acceptable standard of behaviour, and if these standards are to be meaningful then infringements and breaches of these standards needs to be challenged and dealt with. The key is the enforcement of standards. Some of the most effective interventions are those that engage the individual and lead them to change their own behaviour.

It is important to inform victims, witnesses and the community of the action you have taken to tackle the anti-social behaviour. People who feel confident that anti-social behaviour is being tackled will feel safer to go about their daily lives without fear. Those who are informed about action taken are more likely to continue to monitor and report anti-social in their area.