Anti-social behaviour policy - driving fast, running on empty?

Abstract

We entered the 21st century with concerns about rowdy and anti-social youth. Moving towards the end of the decade, communities are panicking about youth weapon carrying and violence. Crime and disorder policies have been hotly debated in the UK recently - problems spring up quickly, action is demanded and very soon a government initiative is launched. In the second part of his two-part guest series for Crimestoppers, Professor Peter Squires looks at whether ASBOs are working, and questions if failing methods of dealing with anti-social behaviour among young people has led to the violent crimes they are now being associated with.