Press Release

POSITIVE WORK BY THE YOUNG NEEDS TO BE SHOUTED ABOUT

29 January 2007
 
Better promotion of the good work by young people in Camden is needed to counter the common misconception they are the main troublemakers, a report has revealed.

A review into anti-social behaviour by Camden Council also recommends more work with 18-25 year olds, and siblings of young people referred to Youth Inclusion and Support Panels (YISPs). (1)

The first of its kind, the review was set up to re-examine the impact of the council’s approach to anti-social behaviour, drawing on evidence from a wide range of experts – both local and national.

Contrary to public opinion only a small proportion, 12 per cent, of the borough’s ASBOs have been given to youths, compared with a national average of 41 per cent (2).

Events that get young and old people mixing together to help them understand each other better, and improved publicising of facilities available to youths, are also recommended by the review.

It found good progress had been made by the council to address anti-social behaviour with some notable success stories – however more needs to be done to nip problem behaviour in the bud.

It revealed the council's interventions are most effective when a person causing anti-social behaviour is fully aware of what will happen if their behaviour escalates from minor to more serious incidents. For example, a visit from a youth worker; warning letter; Acceptable Behaviour Agreement (3); and then for persistent offenders an ASBO.

Cllr Ben Rawlings, Camden Council’s Executive Member for Community Safety, said:

“Public perception is that young people are often at the root of the majority of anti-social behaviour, and young people themselves feel singled-out and alienated. Sadly, this seems to be true even in Camden, where we do things differently and are bucking the national trend of ASBOs served on young people.

“The success of the ladder of interventions and the focus on early support like Acceptable Behaviour Agreements shows that this approach works. But despite this young people in Camden still feel unfairly targeted and demonised. This is a clear sign that politicians and local authorities must do more to promote positive work by and with young people, and not take the easy option of looking “tough” by targeting those whose voices are often unheard.”

A new anti-social behaviour action plan will now be developed to reflect the findings.

The Executive will consider the findings on 31 January, 2007.

To view the report, go to www.camden.gov.uk/democracy and click on Forthcoming Meetings, All Meetings This Month, then January 31 Executive agenda.

Notes

(1) YISPs are a safety net of professionals who work together to stop problem behaviour.
(2) 33 out of a total of 270
(3) ABAs outline what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. A breach could be used in evidence to support subsequent proceedings.