Antisocial Behaviour

Mrs. James
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent progress has been made on the Government’s target of reducing antisocial behaviour.

Mr. Coaker
In 2002-03, 21 per cent. of people responding to the British Crime Survey perceived high levels of antisocial behaviour (ASB) compared with 17 per cent. in the year up to September 2007. The Local Government User Satisfaction Survey which asked similar questions to the British Crime Survey in 2003-04 and again in 2006-07 showed a reduction in perception in 94 per cent. of areas. This reduction in perception has contributed to the Home Office meeting its PSA target on confidence and reassurance for 2005-08.

The Home Office’s twin track approach of enforcement and support has been shown to be effective by the National Audit Office’s 2006 report on antisocial Behaviour. The report concluded that the majority of people who received an ASB intervention did not re-engage in ASB.