Anti-social Behaviour: Report, together with formal minutes, annex and appendix

Anti-social behaviour is defined as behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress; and can therefore cover a wide range of actions including dropping litter, nuisance noise, graffiti, drunk and disorderly behaviour or intimidation through to the running of 'crack houses' by drug dealers. The Committee's report focuses on three particular topics: anti-social behaviour by young people; nuisance caused by anti-social neighbours; and alcohol-related disorder. Aspects discussed include: causes and definitions; effectiveness and proportionality of current powers, including anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) and fixed penalty notices; enforcement and co-ordination by local and housing authorities, government departments, the police, the Crown Prosecution and landlords; the impact of government initiatives; the role of parenting support, youth and community services and the youth justice system; regional disparities; and private sector responsibilities for tackling the problem. The Committee makes 67 conclusions and recommendations including that: i) although most of the criticisms of ASBOs are considered to be unfounded, the minimum term of two years should be removed in relation to young people, with research required to establish reasons why some ASBOs have been issued inappropriately; and ii) the problem of alcohol-related disorder must be addressed primarily through proper city planning, and that pubs and clubs in designated areas should pay a mandatory contribution to help solve local problems caused by it.