The Home Office has always maintained that antisocial behaviour is not specifically a ‘youth’ issue—the vast majority of young people behave well and make a positive contribution to society.
There is a range of tools and powers that have been in place for some time which can be employed when young people engage in crime and antisocial behaviour. Warning letters, acceptable behaviour contracts and individual support orders alongside antisocial behaviour orders specifically tackle behaviour, while parenting orders and contracts prevent problems in their child's behaviour and steer them away from becoming involved in antisocial and offending behaviour.
The Government are putting even greater emphasis on ensuring that when young people engage in antisocial behaviour they receive the right balance of support, challenge and positive activities to help them change their behaviour and fulfil their potential, contribute to communities and avoid getting into further trouble. As part of this the work, the Youth Task Force will support the delivery of these services. This will be set out in the ‘Youth Task Force Action Plan’ to be published in March.
We are also developing a renewed cross-Government approach to youth crime with the Department for Children Schools and Families and the Ministry of Justice. This work will result in a ‘Youth Crime Action Plan' to deliver results across youth crime prevention, youth justice as well as cross-cutting themes on youth victimisation and serious youth violence.