Young people and ASB – building bridges to better futures

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is an emotive topic – and one that can lend itself to stereotypes, especially around the behaviour of children and young people.

Today’s theme for ASB Awareness Week is all about young people and ASB – organising body Resolve states that contrary to common perceptions, young people are not the main perpetrators and in fact are often the silent victims.

For Northamptonshire Police, when young people are involved in ASB, every incident offers the opportunity to help not only the person reporting an issue, but also those involved – which can include agreeing a behaviour contract, referrals to diversionary activities, and ensuring partners are working together to support youngsters who have experienced trauma or neglect.

Sergeant Wyn Hughes, ASB lead at Northamptonshire Police, said: “When reviewing criminal cases involving young people, it’s very common to look back at their offending history and find the starting point was reports of anti-social behaviour.

“When dealing with ASB which involves young people as perpetrators, our aim is to ensure we and partners support them to move away from problematic or criminal behaviour, addressing the causes behind their actions to help both them and the people they have been affecting.”

Reports to police of ASB involving young people come from a variety of sources – directly from victims or their families, support agencies, housing providers, schools or the local council.

Once a report is received, the local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will work with partners to investigate and engage with young people in the area – it’s here that the NPT’s detailed local knowledge can be invaluable in establishing what is happening and who is involved.

Sgt Hughes said: “Community liaison is key – for example when dealing with complaints regarding children being noisy playing in the street, officers visited every house in the area and found that out of at least 20 houses, only one was complaining. This highlights how ASB can be very subjective.”

Where an emerging ASB problem is identified, the police and partners will apply a problem-solving approach, considering any community-related interventions and where applicable, any individual referrals for the young people involved.

Key service providers in Northamptonshire are the youth engagement team funded by the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, the joint fire and police-run Arson Task Force, the Youth Offending Team, and the Youth Violence Intervention Unit, which works with eight to 17-years-old to reduce violent crime.

Each of these may then seek additional support from other groups, such as football or boxing initiatives, when dealing with a referral.

Additionally, the police will look at providing advice and guidance to youngsters, and may include agreed boundaries using what is called a behaviour contract, which involves parents and can also include referrals to appropriate support groups.

Sgt Hughes said: “The objective is not to criminalise the young people but to use diversionary opportunities to help and support them. However, if the ASB is escalating into criminality the police will have to intervene and consider enforcement options with the youth offending team.”

These may include a Criminal Behaviour Order or a civil injunction where appropriate. Where the behaviour impacts on the immediate community the police will, if applicable, include the housing provider who may consider tenancy enforcement options.

Reporting ASB and finding support

If you’re affected by ASB, please don’t suffer in silence. Reporting it allows the police and partners to see what’s happening, and take steps to protect and support you, as well as address the behaviour itself.

Information on ASB, including how to report it, is available here.

Report non-emergency incidents via 101, or call 999 in an emergency, where a crime is in progress or life is at risk.

Voice provides free support to victims and witnesses of crime, including ASB. Find out more and access help here.