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55% of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders breached

Summary

Anti-social behaviour encompasses a broad range of behaviours including nuisance behaviour, intimidation, and vandalism.

This Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General examines the work of the Home Office's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, a small policy unit created to enact measures set out in the Together and Respect antisocial behaviour action plans, and considers the progress made.

The Report finds that:

  • Anti-social behaviour disproportionately affects the young and worst off in society
  • Young men are the largest group involved
  • A small number of people are responsible most anti-social behaviour
  • 55% of anti-social behaviour orders have been breached
  • 35% of offenders breached ASBOs five or more times.

However, the NAO also finds that there has been a fall in perceived levels of anti-social behaviour.

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Law-Making Explained

This is a House of Commons Paper (HC 99): it is a report from the National Audit Office (NAO) about the Home Office's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit.

Find out more about House of Commons Papers.

How does it affect me?

If you work dealing with anti-social behaviour or are affected by anti-social behaviour, this Report may be of interest to you.

The NAO concludes that, for the majority of cases reviewed, anti-social behaviour policies have helped deter offenders from further engagement in anti-social behaviour, and suggests that increased use of prevention measures - for example, warning letters from the police rather than ABSOs - is likely to be more cost effective.

The Government is currently considering further legislation to address anti-social behaviour and take forward the Respect Agenda. To take part in the consultation, visit the Home Office website.

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