Anti-Social Behaviour

This website deals with a range of issues, some of which go beyond the boundaries of the popular conception of crime and disorder. It recognises that the quality of life of people living in our community, and their feelings of safety, are influenced by other factors such as the general environment and behaviour which whilst not criminal, may be anti-social in character. For these reasons, we consider anti-social behaviour and the resultant fear of crime to be important issues.

The definition of Anti-Social Behaviour is important. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 defines Anti-Social Behaviour as acting “……… in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to one or more person not of the same household (as the defendant)”.

The British Crime Survey 2000 also helped to pin down a common definition for ASB by outlining common perceptions of disorder, as follows :

• About a third of adults consider each of the following to be a significant problem in this area where they live – drug use or dealing; vandalism; teenagers hanging around the streets; and litter. 37% stated that this perception of disorder had a negative effect on their quality of life.
• Disorder was more likely to be thought a problem and affect quality of life in low income Council estates
• 9% of adults had experienced Anti-Social Behaviour in the previous year – usually in the form of rude or abusive behaviour, neighbour disputes and noise disturbance or nuisance behaviour.

[Source : Home Office : Findings 145, 2001].

The Berwick Audit team, in dealing with the extent of Anti-Social Behaviour as a crime issue, have included youth disorder, arson, alcohol-related disorder, and criminal damage as characteristics of Anti-Social Behaviour. Further work needs to be carried out on this wide-ranging subject to enable the huge amount of data connected with ASB to be analysed in more detail.

Following the Northumberland Crime Survey (MORI) conducted between 17 February – 28 March 2001, Berwick residents indicated that :

• 23% were scared to go out after dark because of groups of people hanging around in the vicinity
• 31% had witnessed alcohol-related disorder
• 27% had witnessed youth disorder

Northumbria Police have recorded Anti-Social Behaviour Incidents in the Borough as follows :

These are records of incidents and most will not have resulted in any charges being made, but illustrate the range of activity which can be considered under Anti-Social Behaviour. Figures for specific components of Anti-Social Behaviour are as follows :

Criminal Damage
Criminal Damage accounts for a quarter of all crime in the Borough. Criminal damage is defined as non-accidental damage to property.

Youth Disorder
Berwick Youth Project have indicated that young people are more likely to be involved in minor disorder or nuisance than any other age group. Typically these young people will be aged between 12-16 and will congregate in a variety of locations, perhaps upsetting local residents whilst not committing any specific crime. There are a number of locations in the Borough which have traditionally been meeting places for young people, like the entrance to Boots’ Chemists in Berwick or Wooler Bus Station. The perceived threat at such places often outweighs the actual risk of serious criminal intent. Whilst some locations persist, groups are often transient as young adolescents move rapidly though their ‘street’ phase to the more ‘sophisicated’ attractions of pubs and clubs.

The proposed skate park and youth shelter at Eastcliffe/Highcliffe in Spittal and the Youth Café at the new Youth Project premises in Berwick are expected to have an effect on the extent of Youth Disorder. Further provision is being made in Seahouses and Wooler, where Parish Council and Development Trusts have recognised the needs of young people and are now providing suitable facilities.

The Police conducted Operational Utilise during October-December 2001 in Edward, Elizabeth, Seton, Spittal and Tower Wards in order to address disorder problems arising from underage drinking. Evaluation of the results of the Operation shows a 20% reduction in incidents compared with the preceding 3 months. A similar Operation was launched in February 2002 targeting drugs and alcohol-related disorder.

Borough average per 1000 population : 10.1
County average per 1000 population : 12.6
National average per 1000 population : N/A

82% of all Youth Disorder occurs in the 4 Berwick town centre Wards of Spittal (34.1/1000), Elizabeth (27.7/1000), Seton (24.3/1000) and Tower (19.3/1000).

Arson and Deliberate Fire-setting
Arson is a crime which has increased dramatically during the previous 3 years, and poses a growing risk to society. In Northumberland, the number of incidents dealt with by the Fire Service which are recorded as deliberate has risen from 0.5% in the 1970s to 52% by the end of the 1990s.

In the Borough, while the numbers of serious fires are well below the County average of 48.2% of all fires, the incidence of secondary deliberate fires is a cause for concern. The increase in arson incidents cannot be dealt with by the Fire Service alone, and will require the combined efforts of the Partnership to address.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service has identified a series of initiatives to deal with arson and these will be promoted through the Partnership.

Figures for Arson in the Borough 2000/01:

County % of all fires as deliberate – 48.2%
National % of all fires as deliberate – 47.0%

The Borough has the fewest serious and secondary fires of any district in Northumberland.

Racist Crime and Harassment
The 1991 Census shows that the Borough had an ethnic minority population less than 1%.  Based on the number of reported incidents and the lack of clarity about ethnic minority victimisation, Racist Crime and Harassment will not be a strategic priority for the Partnership, at this time.  However, given the increase in racist crime reporting across the County and in light of the recommendations of the MacPherson Report, robust proceedings and support mechanisms must be developed and put in place as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour strategic priority.

Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)
Protocols for ASBOs were formalised in 2000. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 enabled local authorities to place an ASBO on individuals causing persistent harassment and nuisance within a Community. ASBOs can be pursued by a local authority and the police but require information sharing protocols and agreed consultative arrangements to be successful. An order is currently being sought by the Borough Council against a tenant which is testament to the effectiveness of the complex agreements now in place.

The Partnership completed the first successful ASBO in Northumberland in December 2001. A further four are at the evidence gathering/partnership consultation stage.

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts
These operate along similar lines to ASBOs and have been introduced by the Council’s Housing Unit as a means of tackling antisocial behaviour by tenants in social housing.

CCTV
The Partnership was successful in its bid for Home Office CCTV Initiative Round 2 funding, £8,000 of which will go towards the purchase of a portable CCTV camera for use by the Council’s Environmental Health Unit against antisocial crime, such as dog, fouling, litter, criminal damage, fly-tipping and other forms of anti-social behaviour which affect the quality of life.

The acquisition of a more sophisticated ‘mobile’ CCTV camera, which can also be deployed in fixed positions for long periods, and could be used in rural areas, is also being investigated by the Partnership.

What next?
Anti-Social Behaviour is one of the CDRP's 6  Strategic Priorities for the period 1 April 2002 – 31 March 2005.